SNOWTOWN NORTH SOLAR FARM Development Application
23 November 2017
DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION FORM
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House No: ______Lot No: ____ Street: ______Town/Suburb: ______Section No [full/part] ______Hundred: ______Volume: ______Folio: ______Section No [full/part] ______Hundred: ______Volume: ______Folio: ______LAND DIVISION:
Site Area [m2] ______Reserve Area [m2] ______No of existing allotments ______Number of additional allotments [excluding road and reserve]: ______Lease: YES NO BUILDING RULES CLASSIFICATION SOUGHT: ______Present classification: ______
If Class 5,6,78 or 9 classification is sought, state the proposed number of employees: Male: _____ Female: ______If Class 9a classification is sought, state the number o persons for whom accommodation is provided: ______If Class 9b classification is sought, state the proposed number of occupants of the various spaces at the premises: ______DOES EITHER SCHEDULE 21 OR 22 OF THE DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS 2008 APPLY? YES NO HAS THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING FUND ACT 2008 LEVY BEEN PAID? YES NO DEVELOPMENT COST [do not include any fit-out costs]: $ ______
I acknowledge that copies of this application and supporting documentation may be provided to interested persons in accordance with the Development Regulations 2008.
SIGNATURE: ______Dated: 23 / 11 / 2017 ______
23 November 2017
Proposed Snowtown North Solar Farm
Submitted to: Simon Neldner Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure
On behalf of: Tilt Renewables Limited L23, 535 Bourke Street MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Report Number. 1671306-006-R-Rev4 Distribution:
PLANNING REPORT PLANNING 1 E-copy: Tilt Renewables 1 E-copy: DPTI 1 E-copy: Golder Associates
SNOWTOWN NORTH SOLAR FARM- PLANNING REPORT
Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 1
1.1 Aims of this report ...... 1
2.0 PROJECT CONTEXT ...... 2
2.1 Tilt Renewables ...... 2
2.2 Project benefits ...... 2
2.3 State and Local Government context ...... 3
3.0 SNOWTOWN NORTH SOLAR FARM AND SURROUNDS ...... 4
3.1 Subject site ...... 4
3.2 Surrounding land ...... 4
3.3 Site selection ...... 5
4.0 THE PROPOSAL ...... 9
4.1 Summary ...... 9
4.2 Site access and construction compound ...... 9
4.3 PV modules and arrays ...... 9
4.4 Power conditioning ...... 10
4.5 Operations and Maintenance building ...... 10
4.6 Battery storage and connection ...... 10
4.7 Site security and safety ...... 11
4.7.1 Health and Safety ...... 11
4.7.2 Emergency Response ...... 11
5.0 CURRENT PLANNING CONTROLS ...... 12
5.1 Council wide ...... 12
5.1.1 Hazards ...... 12
5.1.2 Interaction between land uses ...... 13
5.1.3 Natural Resources ...... 14
5.1.4 Renewable Energy Facilities ...... 15
5.1.5 Siting and visibility ...... 15
5.1.6 Waste ...... 16
5.2 Primary Production Zone ...... 17
6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL CONSIDERATIONS ...... 19
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6.1 Project risk assessment ...... 19
6.2 Visual amenity ...... 20
6.3 Transport ...... 24
6.4 Heritage ...... 24
6.5 Site ecology ...... 25
6.5.1 Vegetation ...... 25
6.5.2 Fauna ...... 26
6.6 Stormwater management ...... 26
6.7 Employment ...... 28
6.8 Decommissioning ...... 28
6.9 Community benefit ...... 28
7.0 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT ...... 29
8.0 PROJECT CONCLUSIONS ...... 30
TABLES Table 1: Site locality general details ...... 4 Table 2: Site selection outcomes ...... 6 Table 3: Summary of proposal components ...... 9 Table 4: Snowtown North Solar Farm development plan zone ...... 12 Table 5: Development plan provisions ...... 12
FIGURES Figure 1: Matching energy demand by combining wind and solar outputs at Snowtown ...... 2 Figure 2: Snowtown North Solar Farm site locality ...... 5 Figure 3: Subject land with surrounding residences ...... 7 Figure 4: Proposed solar array layout and supporting site infrastructure ...... 8 Figure 5: Snowtown North Solar Farm looking north east from the corner of Hewitt Road ...... 21 Figure 6: Snowtown North Solar Farm looking east from Barunga Top Road ...... 22 Figure 7: Snowtown North Solar Farm looking south west from Wokurna Road (near Hewitt Road intersection) ...... 23 Figure 8: Route options to Snowtown North Solar Farm ...... 24 Figure 9: Mapped Vegetation Associations ...... 25 Figure 10: Stormwater management strategy ...... 27
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APPENDICES APPENDIX A Certificate of Title APPENDIX B Traffic Impact and Route Assessment APPENDIX C Flora and Fauna Assessment APPENDIX D Surface Water Strategy APPENDIX E Contractor’s Environmental Management Framework APPENDIX F Initial Risk Assessment
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PROPONENT
Entity Description Tilt Renewables Australia Pty Ltd Applicant ABN 15 101 038 331 Registered address PO Box 16080, Collins Street West, Vic, 8007
Office address L 23, 535 Bourke Street, Melbourne Project Snowtown North Solar Farm Design, construction, commissioning, operations, maintenance and decommissioning of a 45 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) farm with supporting infrastructure, including: Inverters and transformers Operations & Maintenance building Description of project Battery storage area Internal access tracks and car parking Security fencing Plan Wakefield Regional Council Development Plan, consolidated 9 February 2017 Zone Primary Production; there are no relevant policy or precinct areas Assessment authority Department for Planning Transport and Infrastructure Land on Hewitt Road in Wokurna (portion of CT 6118/648 and portion of CT Site 6118/647) Jeremy Ellis Contact details 0439 589 771 [email protected]
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1.0 INTRODUCTION Tilt Renewables Australia Pty Ltd (Tilt) proposes to develop a 45 MW solar farm approximately 10 km west of Snowtown in Wakefield Regional Council, South Australia. The primary objective of the Snowtown North Solar Farm (the Solar Farm) is to generate renewable energy using solar PV technology. Tilt has leased a 100 ha land block (portion of CT6118/648 and portion CT6118/647) in consultation with the landowner to enable the development. The land does not require any subdivision. The site is located immediately adjacent to a substation originally built to connect the first stage of the Snowtown Wind Farm to the national electricity network. This substation has sufficient capacity available to connect the Solar Farm. This results in no further infrastructure such as powerlines, substations or switching yards being required, therefore reducing the project’s environmental and social impact. The site and its surrounds are wholly zoned ‘Primary Production’ and has a development objective of accommodating a wide range of uses, including wind farms and ancillary energy developments. Although solar farms have not been identified specifically, the Solar Farm is considered to comply with the intent of the council-wide and zone provisions within the Wakefield Regional Council Development Plan. Tilt has engaged with the community and other relevant stakeholders using a range of methods. These have included holding a Community Information Session, landowner and agency one-on-one briefings as well as sending project newsletters to the wider region. The project has received wide-ranging support. 1.1 Aims of this report Tilt engaged Golder Associates (Golder) to prepare this Planning Report and supporting information to enable assessment against the provisions of the Wakefield Regional Council Development Plan. Specifically, the aim of this report is to: Provide details of the proposed Solar Farm including site selection process Demonstrate the proposed Solar Farm’s compliance with the Wakefield Regional Council’s Development Plan (consolidated 2017), the Development Act 1993 and Development Regulations 2008 Assess the potential risks to the environment as a result of the Solar Farm and discuss potential environmental constraints and opportunities Describe the stakeholder engagement process undertaken and feedback received.
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2.0 PROJECT CONTEXT 2.1 Tilt Renewables Tilt was established in October 2016 as a result of a demerger from Trustpower Ltd. Although newly listed, Tilt has a strong history of developing and owning renewable energy assets. Tilt currently has an existing asset base of 307 operating turbines across seven wind farms, including the Snowtown Wind Farm. Snowtown Wind Farm was constructed in two stages (I and II), both having distinct connection points. Construction of Snowtown I Wind Farm was completed in 2008, with the addition of Snowtown II Wind Farm completed in June 2014. The Snowtown II Wind Farm was developed in two separate divisions (north and south) consisting of 90 wind turbines and has a 270 MW capacity. Tilt has proposed this Solar Farm development to complement the Snowtown Wind Farm. By pairing solar energy (with a daytime peak) and wind energy (with an evening peak), the energy output is more stable over 24 hours and matches daily market energy demand. Figure 1 shows this trend by combining the average Snowtown Wind Farm generation to the expected average generation of a solar facility in that region over a 24 hour period.
Solar output
Wind output
Combined Solar and
Wind MWh
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 24-hour period
Figure 1: Matching energy demand by combining wind and solar outputs at Snowtown 2.2 Project benefits In addition to more stable energy, the Snowtown North Solar Farm provides the following benefits: An increase in regional job opportunities - up to 200 jobs are predicted during an 8 month construction period, and 1 to 2 permanent roles during the 25 years operation Provision of a predictable energy source A project site that has negligible impact on the local flora and fauna during construction and operation It is sensitive to local heritage.
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2.3 State and Local Government context In accordance with the State Energy Plan, South Australia aims to lead the way in the transformation to the next generation of renewable technologies. As such, increasing the supply of stable renewable energy through the Snowtown North Solar Farm is aligned to the Premier of South Australia’s goal to achieve 50% of electricity generated in the State from renewable energy sources by 2025. In 2015, The Government of South Australia set out its Economic Priorities with almost 70 objectives to be achieved by end of 2017. The Solar Farm is aligned to the key objective regarding renewable generation activities being:
“Transition to a low-carbon economy: South Australia is building on its carbon-neutral Adelaide vision and success with renewable energy uptake to support Australia’s transition to a low-carbon economy. National leadership is needed to improve the adaptability and resilience of the national electricity market and to support further investment in renewable energy.” This objective was enhanced in the SA Government’s 2017 objectives to: “Expand investment in renewable energy to be on track to increase the proportion of electricity generated from renewable sources from 42.2% in 2014-15 to 50% in 2025. The South Australian ‘Our Energy Plan’ also identifies that more dispatchable renewable energy is required. Tilt’s proposal to pair wind and solar resources by adding solar capacity to the wind farm substation means that the energy supply will be more stable as it will remove the intermittency of generation (see Figure 1). A reduction in the intermittency will result in an improved capacity factor at the connection point, which improves reliability. South Australia’s Strategic Plan (2011) identifies the State’s strategic goals and targets. The Project will assist in achieving a number of these targets, such as:
Target 59: Greenhouse gas emissions reduction – achieve the Kyoto target by limiting the state’s greenhouse gas emissions to 108% of 1990 levels during 2008-2012, as a first step towards reducing emissions by 60% (to 40% of 1990 levels) by 2050 (baseline: 1990)
Target 64: Renewable energy – support the development of renewable energy so that it comprises 33% of the state’s electricity production by 2020 (baseline: 2004-05)
Target 65: Green Power – purchase renewable energy for 50% of the government’s own electricity needs (baseline: 2010)
Target 66: Emissions intensity – limit the carbon intensity of total South Australian electricity generation to 0.5 tonnes of CO2/MWh by 2020 (baseline: 2011) (Government of South Australia 2011). The South Australian Strategic Plan also has relevant targets for employment and regional development:
Target 46: Regional population levels – increase regional populations, outside of Greater Adelaide, by 20,000 to 320,000 or more by 2020 (baseline: 2010);
Target 47: Jobs – increase employment by 2% each year from 2010 to 2016 (baseline: 2010); and
Target 56: Strategic infrastructure – ensure the provision of key economic and social infrastructure accommodates population growth (baseline: 2010-11) (Government of South Australia 2011). The project also supports the Wakefield Regional Council’s aspirations for the development of renewable energy. As per its Strategic Plan, the council supports investment in renewable energy:
“The region is recognised for its renewable energy and Council supports its further development.” It is acknowledged that renewable energy development will be led by the private sector.
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3.0 SNOWTOWN NORTH SOLAR FARM AND SURROUNDS 3.1 Subject site The preferred site for the Solar Farm is on 100 ha of privately owned agricultural land adjacent to the existing Snowtown Stage I Wind Farm substation on the corner of Hewitt Road and Wokurna Road, to which it will connect. Tilt has negotiated a 30 year lease with the existing landholder. The site covers a portion of land held under two Certificates of Title, included in Appendix A. The land covered by the two Titles are formally described as Allotments 60, 62 and 63 Deposited Plan 74588 and Section 250, Hundred of Barunga in the area named Wokurna. The general site locality is summarised in Table 1.
Table 1: Site locality general details Aspect Detail Suburb and postcode Wokurna, 5520 Local Government area Wakefield Regional Council Federal electorate Grey State electorate Narungga Hundred Barunga
3.2 Surrounding land The subject land is located to the west of Hummock Range at the base of Snowtown Wind Farm. The proposed site locality and proximity to nearest dwellings are shown on Figures 2 and 3. Figure 4 identifies the proposed location of the solar arrays and supporting infrastructure. The subject land is within a rural landscape of large agricultural allotments (Figure 2). It is bound between Wokurna Road, Barunga Top Road and Hewitt Road. The subject land is currently used for agricultural activities including cropping and livestock grazing. As such, native vegetation is restricted to the road verge along the northern boundary. The north western corner is adjacent the existing landowner’s residence and is screened with amenity plantings. The north eastern corner is adjacent the existing Snowtown Stage I substation. The site has an existing easement that accommodates a 132 kV transmission line and the western boundary is adjacent to the Bundaleer Trunk Main pipeline. The land slopes from east to west at a relatively constant grade of 2.7%. Rainfall data collected over the last 30 years at Snowtown (Rayville Park) show that rainfall averages 380 mm each year, with rainfall highest in June (51.7 mm) and lowest in January (17.1 mm).
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Figure 2: Snowtown North Solar Farm site locality
3.3 Site selection A site selection process was undertaken using the following parameters for assessing site suitability: Development plan zoning that facilitates renewable energy developments Technically feasible with respect to construction and operations Close proximity to an existing substation and wind farm Minimal number of surrounding residents Environmental and heritage sensitivities Suitable site accessibility Willing site provider.
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Snowtown North, as well as a site approximately 15 km to the south (Snowtown South), were selected for further investigation and both satisfied the parameters. The Snowtown North site was selected as the preferred site, based on the lower impact to native vegetation and lower quality vegetation present. Further, the connection of Snowtown South to the Barunga Gap substation was constrained when compared to Snowtown North. The Flora and Fauna Assessment, included as Appendix C, presents ecological assessments of both the Snowtown North and Snowtown South sites. Relevance should only be given to the assessment of Snowtown North for this assessment. Table 2 describes the outcomes of the site selection process. Table 2: Site selection outcomes Aspect Snowtown North Solar Farm Features Wakefield Regional Council The site is in an area zoned as Primary Production. Development of Development Plan Zoning renewable energy infrastructure is generally encouraged in this zone. The site is cleared land currently used for cereal cropping. Adjacent land uses are largely cereal cropping with two residences in close proximity to the site. Current land use at and
surrounding the site An existing substation, constructed for the Snowtown I Wind Farm, is adjacent the eastern portion of the site. The Snowtown II Wind Farm turbines are approximately 700 m to the east of the site. Proximity to required A major factor in selection of the site was the proximity to the existing infrastructure and its substation. This feature allows the Solar Farm to be connected into the capability (substation and national electricity network from the substation with few upgrades to the transmission lines) existing infrastructure. The closest residence is approximately 280 m to the north west of the site boundary. The closest town is Snowtown, approximately 10 km south east Separation from sensitive of the site. receptors The site is highly modified and there are no environmental sensitive receptors identified on or in close proximity to the site. Based on the environmental risk assessment, no potential impacts were identified that would preclude development of the Solar Farm.
Environmental impacts Environmental impacts from construction activities can be effectively managed through implementation of a Contractors Environmental Management Plan. The site is situated approximately 400 m to the east of Barunga Top Road. Wokurna Road and Hewitt Road run along the north eastern and Ease of access and road south eastern boundary of the site. condition The roads are in adequate condition to allow the required plant to enter the site without extensive moderations. Land availability and willing The landowner was positive about solar farm projects and has offered site provider 100 ha of land for lease by Tilt.
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Figure 3: Subject land with surrounding residences
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Figure 4: Proposed solar array layout and supporting site infrastructure
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4.0 THE PROPOSAL 4.1 Summary The Snowtown North Solar Farm will be made up of a series of solar panels. These panels are designed to absorb light and transform it into useable energy by way of an inverter. The inverter turns direct current (DC) energy into alternating current (AC) energy. The AC energy will be fed to the grid for subsequent use. Each of the components are summarised below noting that during detailed design, quantities and dimensions may be optimised. Table 3: Summary of proposal components Report Project aspect Description Section Site access Section 4.2 Entry from Wokurna Road PV modules and arrays Section 4.3 45 MW made up of approximately 180,000 panels over 100 ha Tracking system Section 4.3 May be single axis tracking arrays or fixed arrays Inverters Section 4.4 Approximately 25, maximum height 5 m Operations & Section 4.5 Approximately 2,000m², built form will be a maximum height of 7 m Maintenance Building Battery Storage Section 4.6 In accordance with the Office of the Technical Regulator Site security Section 4.7 Chain link fencing (approximately 2.4 m height) NA Proposal uses an existing substation. This may also be used to Substation/ Switchyard incorporate operations and maintenance facilities (see Section 4.5)
At the end of its designed life (30 years), the Solar Farm will be decommissioned and the site returned to its current agricultural state. 4.2 Site access and construction compound Entry to the site will be from Wokurna Road, approximately 250 m north west of the intersection with Hewitt Road. The access location complies with the required sight distances (Appendix B). A site compound of approximately 3,000 m2 will be used temporarily for construction. The compound surface will be treated for all weather access and the compound will consist of temporary office facilities and amenities. A car park will also be located within the Project Area, adjacent to the proposed substation. The area will become the future Operations & Maintenance (O&M) building and carpark which will be designed to accommodate four cars. Traffic engineers assessed possible routes to sites and the capability of different roads to accommodate construction-based and operational traffic. Three routes were investigated, with all three deemed to be suitable for access with minimal impacts to local and regional traffic (Appendix B). 4.3 PV modules and arrays Although the solar PV provider has not yet been contracted, each PV module is typically made up of a number of PV cells sealed in a protective laminate which converts sunlight into electricity. A number of these modules make up a panel which are pre-wired, field installed units. Approximately 180,000 solar panels will be arranged in a north-facing direction to optimise solar gain. Solar panels may be up to 5 m in height to enable sufficient ground clearance for maintenance and grazing activities. A number of these panels are joined together to form an array, which is a complete power generating unit. The arrays are proposed to be connected to a single axis tracking system (a fixed array may be considered). Typically, these arrays are arranged in rows normally in a north/south direction with access tracks between the rows for maintenance purposes and to avoid shading issues. The tracking system will be designed and constructed in accordance with the Australian Standards.
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The modules will be certified to IEC61730 (including fire test MST-23) and will comply with relevant Australian Standards and Clean Energy Council guidelines. 4.4 Power conditioning The PV array will lead into approximately 15-25 inverters. The energy generated by the PV modules will be converted from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) energy by the inverters and increased to medium voltage via integrated transformers. The inverters and transformers may be housed either in small buildings or in an outdoor “skid” configuration with a maximum height of approximately 5 m. Inverter output will be at 33 kV (33,000 V). Inverters will be connected together using underground, high voltage cables. All cables terminate at the O&M building prior to the substation. A step-up transformer will raise the voltage to Indicative inverter 132 kV for connection to the ElectraNet network. 4.5 Operations and Maintenance building The Project includes an O&M building located within the lease area adjacent to the existing substation. The O&M building generally contains a site office, control room, storage and amenities. The building will present as a rural shed structure, with a maximum height of 7 m and footprint of 2,000 m2. A small carpark will be located adjacent to this facility. During operation, 1 to 2 employees may be present on site, with additional staff as required during maintenance periods. The Project area is not connected to reticulated water or sewerage infrastructure. Rainwater may be collected and stored via water tanks and used on-site for maintenance purposes. A supply of water for firefighting purposes will also be maintained on site in accordance with bushfire management guidelines. Sewerage will be managed by a septic system and be removed off-site by a certified contractor. The proposal is currently being assessed to ensure the design is as efficient as possible. There is the potential that operations and maintenance facilities can be co-located with the adjacent substation already owned by Tilt. If this is possible, the proposed area for the O&M building would be used for additional solar arrays. However, for the purposes of the planning and impact assessments, Tilt has assumed that the O&M building is on the Solar Farm project site, as a worst case scenario. 4.6 Battery storage and connection The Project will establish an area for battery storage in accordance with the requirements of the Office of the Technical Regulator. The preliminary solar farm layout allows for a battery storage area of approximately 40 m x 40 m. As battery storage is expected to evolve rapidly in the short-term, the type of battery and storage will be finalised in the detailed design phase. Indicative battery storage Batteries will be housed in accordance with the Clean Energy Council Install Guidelines and the National Construction code, which include measures to minimise the risk of fire, as well as ensuring that, if a fire occurs, it is contained. The risk of a widespread fire as a result of battery storage is low, given the control measures built into battery modules such as internal safety devices (i.e. thermal interrupts and over-pressure vents) and cooling measures (i.e. passive and active ventilation). The energy generated is proposed for connection into the national electricity network through the existing wind farm substation adjacent to the east, and into a switching station 7 km west of Blyth via an existing 28 km of 275kV overhead transmission line. Both the O&M building and battery storage area will be screened using vegetation of local provenance. A landscaping plan will be provided during the detailed design phase.
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4.7 Site security and safety A suitable security fence will follow the perimeter of the Project and an alarm/camera system will monitor the O&M building and the battery storage area. This will ensure safety, and reduce the risk of theft. Installed lighting will be of efficient design and use kept to a minimum where possible. 4.7.1 Health and Safety A Health and Safety Management System (HSMS) will be introduced during construction, operation and decommissioning to ensure protection of site staff, contractors and visitors. The HSMS will provide a systematic approach to health and safety management in conformance with legislation, codes and industry best practice. 4.7.2 Emergency Response All site staff will be appropriately trained and have access to the appropriate emergency and safety equipment as part of the HSMS. This will also include an induction for all contractors and visitors to the site. The proposed development is within a ‘general risk Bushfire Protection Area” and therefore will comply with the requirements under the South Australian Bushfire Code and Minister’s Specifications for new development. This will include: A dedicated water supply for the allotment (minimum capacity of 2,000 L) An appropriate buffer between site buildings and hazardous vegetation (at least 20 m). The development will be designed to address bushfire risk including appropriate buffers between buildings and hazardous vegetation, inclusion of a dedicated water supply and adequate access tracks for emergency vehicles.
An Emergency Response Plan will also be developed as part of the construction and operational phases of the development. This will include relevant information relating to the site including plans, site contacts and emergency procedures specific to the site and facilities. The Snowtown Country Fire Service (CFS) will be made aware of the Emergency Response Plan and information specific to the site and equipment as required.
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5.0 CURRENT PLANNING CONTROLS The site of the proposed Snowtown Solar Farm is located within the Primary Production Zone of the Wakefield Regional Council Development Plan, consolidated 9 February 2017 (the Development Plan; Table 4). Table 4: Snowtown North Solar Farm development plan zone Development Plan Zone PrPro, Primary Production Bushfire protection area General, Wakefield Current land use (Generalised 2016) Agriculture
The Development Plan identifies wind farms and ancillary infrastructure to be complying development within the Primary Production Zone. As a solar farm is not explicitly identified in the Plan, the proposal is deemed to be development on merit under Schedule 4 of the Development Regulations. The Objectives and Principles of Development Control (PDC) of the Wakefield Regional Council Development Plan that are considered to be relevant in the assessment of the proposed development are provided in Table 5. Table 5: Development plan provisions Report Section Aspect
Council wide 5.1.1 Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4 Hazards (bushfires) PDC 1(a), 3, 6, 7, 10, 15 5.1.2 Objectives 1, 2, 3 Interface between land uses PDC 1, 2, 4, 5.1.3 Objectives 1, 8, 10 Biodiversity and native vegetation PDC 1, 2, 4, 26, 27 5.1.4 Objectives 1, 2, 3 Renewable energy facilities PDC 1(a), 1(b) 5.1.5 Objectives 1 Siting and visibility PDC 2(a), 2(b), 6, 7, 8(a) 5.1.6 Objectives 2 Waste PDC 12, 14, 15 Zone specific 5.2.1 Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Primary production zone PDC 1, 2, 4, 9,
5.1 Council wide The relevant sections of the Development Plan’s Council-wide provisions are presented below. 5.1.1 Hazards The Solar Farm is located within the General Bushfire Risk zone (see BPA WakR/2 Bushfire Risk; Q60, S250). The CFS classes the Solar Farm as a commercial asset. Tilt has considered Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) in consultation with the CFS. The BAL is a measure of the radiant heat a building or structure is expected to be subjected to in the event of a bushfire on a day of extreme fire danger rating. In accordance with AS3959 Australian Standard, buildings in bushfire-prone areas are rated to certain BALs. The BAL is determined by classifying the type and distance of vegetation around buildings. Based on the steel design and no remnant vegetation on site, the O&M building will comply with the relevant building rules and construction requirements of the Building Code of Australia for an expected bushfire attack level BAL – Low. This includes having ember proofing in design.
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Infrastructure such as PV panels and batteries will be appropriately fire rated and installed to the relevant standards and guidelines. The risk of a widespread fire as a result of battery storage is low, given the control measures built into battery modules such as internal safety devices (i.e. thermal interrupts and over-pressure vents) and cooling measures (i.e. passive and active ventilation). As a part of property preparedness against fires, all debris will be cleared from around buildings, inverters and transformers and firefighting equipment will be located within the O&M building for emergency use. The site is cleared of native vegetation, and has good access from Wokurna Road. A 15 m buffer around the site will be maintained for safe vehicular access as well as driveable access between the solar panels. Site vegetation (fuel load) will be managed by either grazing with sheep or active weed management. Rainwater will be captured from the building roof and stored onsite in rainwater tanks (minimum requirement of 2,000 L). Three retention basins have been conceptually designed along the western boundary providing additional water resources that may be used for firefighting purposes.
OBJECTIVES
1 Maintenance of the natural environment and systems by limiting development in areas susceptible to natural hazard risk.
2 Development located away from areas that are vulnerable to, and cannot be adequately and effectively protected from the risk of natural hazards.
3 Development located to minimise the threat and impact of bushfires on life and property.
4 Expansion of existing non-rural uses directed away from areas of high bushfire risk.
PRINCIPLES OF DEVELOPMENT CONTROL
1 Development should: (a) be excluded from areas that are vulnerable to, and cannot be adequately and effectively protected from, the risk of natural hazards
3 The location of critical community facilities or key infrastructure in areas of high natural hazard risk should be avoided.
7 Buildings and structures should be located away from areas that pose an unacceptable bushfire risk as a result of one or more of the following: (a) vegetation cover comprising trees and/or shrubs (b) poor access (c) rugged terrain (d) inability to provide an adequate building protection zone (e) inability to provide an adequate supply of water for fire-fighting purposes.
10 Buildings and structures should be designed and configured to reduce the impact of bushfire through using simple designs that reduce the potential for trapping burning debris against the building or structure, or between the ground and building floor level in the case of transportable buildings.
15 Development in a Bushfire Protection Area should be in accordance with those provisions of the Minister’s Code: Undertaking development in Bushfire Protection Areas that are designated as mandatory for Development Plan Consent purposes.
5.1.2 Interaction between land uses The site is surrounded by lands used for agricultural purposes. The Primary Production zone envisages renewable energy developments within agricultural landscapes. The Snowtown Wind Farms add a distinct character to the area and agricultural land uses have comfortably accommodated renewable energy generation. The Solar Farm site also has the potential to continue to accommodate some grazing under certain management conditions. The Solar Farm has been sited immediately adjacent to an existing substation. The project has minimised adverse impacts and conflicts associated with the built form by siting the O&M building close to the substation, and has included a substantial buffer around the site.
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Although the traffic volumes and the percentage of heavy vehicles will increase on designated transport routes during construction, the total additional vehicles to utilise the roads is in the order of 25 light vehicles and four heavy vehicles per day for eight months. This increase is unlikely to cause additional damage to the road or inconvenience to local residents. Based on the historical traffic counts, the traffic volume generated is considerably less than that generated by the wind farm construction period. Once construction is complete, the site will be staffed by 1 to 2 personnel during normal business hours. This is not considered to unduly impact upon existing traffic (see Appendix B). Once built, solar farms do not produce unreasonable emissions, light spill, glare, noise vibration or effluent. As such, operations and maintenance activities are not expected to impact the local amenity. The closest resident (who is leasing the land to Tilt and has screening vegetation to the east of the residential building) is more than 250 m from the boundary of the Solar Farm and is separated by cropping land. The O&M building is approximately 1 km to the east of that resident. With no unreasonable interference of the proposal with adjacent land uses, the proposal is deemed to comply with the objectives and principles of development control.
OBJECTIVES
1 Development located and designed to minimise adverse impact and conflict between land uses. 2 Protect community health and amenity from adverse impacts of development. 3 Protect desired land uses from the encroachment of incompatible development.
PRINCIPLES OF DEVELOPMENT CONTROL
1 Development should not detrimentally affect the amenity of the locality or cause unreasonable interference through any of the following: (a) the emission of effluent, odour, smoke, fumes, dust or other airborne pollutants (b) noise (c) vibration (d) electrical interference (e) light spill (f) glare (g) hours of operation (h) traffic impacts.
2 Development should be sited and designed to minimise negative impacts on existing and potential future land uses desired in the locality.
5.1.3 Natural Resources Tilt has selected a site that has been historically cleared of native vegetation and site access from Wokurna Road has been located such that there is no disturbance to roadside native vegetation. As such, no disturbance to native flora and fauna are envisaged from this project. This has been confirmed through an independent technical assessment prepared by EBS Ecology, and presented in Appendix C. There are no national parks, reserves, Native Vegetation Council heritage agreements or road side significant vegetation on or near the project site. The natural landform will be largely unmodified. Some minor works are required to manage stormwater on site as outlined in the Surface Water Strategy presented in Appendix D. With the development having little to no impact on natural assets, the proposal meets the relevant objectives and principles of development control.
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OBJECTIVES
1 Retention, protection and restoration of the natural resources and environment.
8 Native flora, fauna and ecosystems protected, retained, conserved and restored.
10 Minimal disturbance and modification of the natural landform.
PRINCIPLES OF DEVELOPMENT CONTROL
1 Development should be undertaken with minimum impact on the natural environment, including air and water quality, land, soil, biodiversity, and scenically attractive areas.
2 Development should ensure that South Australia’s natural assets, such as biodiversity, water and soil, are protected and enhanced.
4 Development should be appropriate to land capability and the protection and conservation of water resources and biodiversity.
Biodiversity and Native Vegetation
26 Development should retain existing areas of native vegetation and where possible contribute to revegetation using locally indigenous plant species. 27 Development should be designed and sited to minimise the loss and disturbance of native flora and fauna, including marine animals and plants, and their breeding grounds and habitats.
5.1.4 Renewable Energy Facilities The Development Plan has clear objectives for the development of renewable energy facilities within the area. Tilt’s proposal has the capacity to provide up to 45 MW of clean energy and will help increase the generation stability by combining its output with the Snowtown Wind Farm. The Solar Farm does not have any impacts on safety associated with transport, either by road or air. The proposal meets the Renewable Energy Facility objectives and principles of development control through its siting and low-to-negligible environmental impact.
OBJECTIVES
1 Development of renewable energy facilities that benefit the environment, the community and the state. 2 The development of renewable energy facilities, such as wind farms and ancillary development, in areas that provide opportunity to harvest natural resources for the efficient generation of electricity. 3 Location, siting, design and operation of renewable energy facilities to avoid or minimise adverse impacts on the natural environment and other land uses.
PRINCIPLES OF DEVELOPMENT CONTROL
1 Renewable energy facilities, including wind farms and ancillary development, should be: (a) located in areas that maximize efficient generation and supply of electricity; and (b) designed and sited so as not to impact on the safety of water or air transport and the operation of ports, airfields and designated landing strips.
5.1.5 Siting and visibility The O&M building has been located in the north eastern portion of the site so as to collocate the building with the adjacent substation. The building is proposed to be a maximum of 7 m in height and will present to the road as a rural shed. The building will be set back from Wokurna Road by more than 20 m and will provide a visual barrier to the battery storage area. The areas around the O&M building and future battery storage area will be landscaped with species of local provenance. A landscaping plan will be provided during detailed design. Tilt has prepared a series of artistic impressions, superimposing scaled components of the proposal on the site so as to enable stakeholders to visualise the proposal (Figure 5, 6 and 7).
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OBJECTIVES
1 Protection of scenically attractive areas, particularly natural, rural and coastal landscapes.
PRINCIPLES OF DEVELOPMENT CONTROL
2 Buildings should be sited in unobtrusive locations and, in particular, should: (a) be grouped together (b) where possible be located in such a way as to be screened by existing vegetation when viewed from public roads and especially from arterial roads as shown on Overlay Maps - Transport.
6 The number of buildings and structures on land outside of urban areas should be limited to that necessary for the efficient management of the land.
7 Driveways and access tracks should be designed and constructed to blend sympathetically with the landscape and to minimise interference with natural vegetation and landforms.
8 Development should be screened through the establishment of landscaping using locally indigenous plant species: (a) around buildings and earthworks to provide a visual screen as well as shade in summer, and protection from prevailing winds (b) along allotment boundaries to provide permanent screening of buildings and structures when viewed from adjoining properties and public roads (c) along the verges of new roads and access tracks to provide screening and minimise erosion.
5.1.6 Waste Waste during construction will be managed through the implementation of a Contractor’s Environmental Management Plan. A framework that Contractors will be required to meet has been developed and is provided in Appendix E. Once the Solar Farm has been constructed, it will not produce any wastes or emissions. Wastes generated from the O&M building will be stored and disposed of appropriately. This includes recycling wherever possible. The O&M building will include an approved wastewater treatment system.
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OBJECTIVES
2 Development that includes the treatment and management of solid and liquid waste to prevent undesired impacts on the environment including, soil, plant and animal biodiversity, human health and the amenity of the locality.
PRINCIPLES OF DEVELOPMENT CONTROL
Waste Treatment Systems
12 Development that produces any effluent should be connected to an approved waste treatment system which may include sewage, community wastewater management systems, or on-site wastewater treatment and disposal methods.
13 The methods for, and siting of, effluent and waste storage, treatment and disposal systems should minimise the potential for environmental harm and adverse impacts on:
(a) the quality of surface and groundwater resources
(b) public health
(c) the amenity of a locality
(d) sensitive land uses.
14 Waste treatment should only occur where the capacity of the treatment facility is sufficient to accommodate likely maximum daily demands including a contingency for unexpected high flows and breakdowns.
15 Any domestic waste treatment system or effluent drainage field should be located within the allotment of the development that it will service.
5.2 Primary Production Zone A key objective within the Development Plan identifies that wind farms and ancillary developments are envisioned in the area. The Development Plan does not specifically state a solar farm, however in consultation with the Wakefield Regional Council, there are no constraints associated with the proposal. The lack of representation of solar facilities within the Development Plan is a legacy of developer interest being focused on wind farms in the area. The Desired Future Character Statement identifies that wind farms and ancillary developments such as substations, maintenance sheds, access roads and power lines are envisaged within the zone and constitute part of the zone’s character. The Solar Farm is compatible with this character. The Solar Farm is proposed on a site that is currently used for agricultural purposes. The Solar Farm is considered a compatible land use, given the allotment and surrounding land can remain in use for primary production during operation, and the land will be returned for primary production activities following decommissioning.
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OBJECTIVES
1 Economically productive, efficient and environmentally sustainable primary production. 2 Allotments of a size and configuration that promote the efficient use of land for primary production. 3 Protection of primary production from encroachment by incompatible land uses and protection of scenic qualities of rural landscapes. 4 Accommodation of wind farms and ancillary development. 5 Development that contributes to the desired character of the zone.
DESIRED CHARACTER
The zone accommodates a wide range of farming practices which contribute to local employment, and the local economy, where sustainable farm management is practised and where an attractive well vegetated landscape exists.
Wind farms and ancillary development such as substations, maintenance sheds, access roads and connecting power-lines (including to the National Electricity Grid) are envisaged within the zone and constitute a component of the zone's desired character. These facilities will need to be located in areas where they can take advantage of the natural resource upon which they rely and, as a consequence, components (particularly turbines) may need to be: ▪ located in visually prominent locations such as ridgelines ▪ visible from scenic routes and valuable scenic and environmental areas ▪ located closer to roads than envisaged by generic setback policy.
PRINCIPLES OF DEVELOPMENT CONTROL
Land Use
1 The following forms of development are envisaged in the zone: ▪ wind farm and ancillary development ▪ wind monitoring mast and ancillary development.
3 Wind farms and ancillary development should be located in areas which provide opportunity for harvesting of wind and efficient generation of electricity and may therefore be sited: (a) in visually prominent locations (b) closer to roads than envisaged by generic setback policy. Form and Character
9 Development should not be undertaken unless it is consistent with the desired character for the zone.
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6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL CONSIDERATIONS 6.1 Project risk assessment The potential environmental and social risks associated with the construction, operation and decommissioning of the Solar Farm were mapped in detail to ensure risks were appropriately characterised and effective management measures could be implemented to reduce or eliminate the risks. The risk assessment involved assigning an initial risk rating to each potential risk aspect. Where required, technical studies were undertaken to provide an appropriate understanding of the risks and suitable mitigation measures. The initial risk assessment undertaken is included in Appendix F. Based on the initial risk assessment, the following aspects were considered to be sufficiently low risk and could be effectively managed through a Contractor’s Environmental Management Plan (CEMP), without additional assessment: Non-Aboriginal heritage: the closest heritage listed place is in Snowtown, approximately 10 km south west of the site. There was no pathway for the Solar Farm to impact non-Aboriginal heritage and accordingly, no specialist study was required Groundwater: excavation depths are not expected to facilitate interaction with groundwater. The closest well did not intersect water when drilled to 62 m. With only shallow footings for the solar arrays expected, no groundwater study was required Noise and vibration: the increase in noise and vibration during construction, operation and decommissioning is expected to be negligible based on activities and distance to sensitive receptors Glare/reflectivity: the solar panels are designed to absorb sunlight and not produce glare, therefore pathway impacts are considered negligible Air quality: impacts due to an increase in dust levels are expected to be negligible based on the proposed activities and distance to the nearest sensitive receptor Site contamination: there is not expected to be existing soil contamination at the proposed site location and contamination of site soils and groundwater as a result of the Project activities is not expected Greenhouse gas: greenhouse gas emissions will be emitted during construction as a result of traffic travelling to site and use of plant and machinery. However, the overall objective of providing clean energy to South Australia will result in a net decrease in reliance on non-renewable energy generators Water use and waste generation: increase in water use and waste generation will be minor and will not be greater than that expected on a general construction site. The following aspects were further investigated to inform appropriate design modifications and management measures required: Visual amenity: photo montages have been provided to enable an understanding of the visual impact of the project Transport: a Traffic Impact and Route Assessment has been undertaken to assess the possible routes to site, the capability of the road network and the impact of the temporary increased traffic and heavy loads Aboriginal heritage: an Aboriginal heritage survey was carried out to determine whether there are artefacts or sites of significance Ecology: a Flora and Fauna Assessment was undertaken to provide information on the existing ecosystem and the potential impacts from the development Stormwater Management: a Surface Water Strategy was prepared to assess the impacts of the development on surface water drainage patterns and design a strategy to mitigate any impacts i.e. soil erosion. These aspects are further discussed in the following sections.
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6.2 Visual amenity The Solar Farm will be visible from surrounding local roads, including Hewitt Road, Barunga Top Road and Wokurna Road. To visualise the expected impact of the Solar Farm on the scenic quality of the land, graphic impressions were developed. The impressions are shown in Figure 5, 6 and 7. Examples of the type of solar PV panels likely to be used at the site were superimposed onto photos taken at a number of viewpoints, considered most relevant to passing motorists and community members. With the Solar Farm infrastructure low lying, no negative impact to the scenic quality of the region is anticipated. The placement of the Solar Farm is in keeping with the surrounding environment which includes renewable energy infrastructure (i.e. Snowtown Wind Farm). Site infrastructure, including O&M buildings, will be screened with vegetation where appropriate, and vegetation along roadsides will be retained.
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Figure 5: Snowtown North Solar Farm looking north east from the corner of Hewitt Road
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Figure 6: Snowtown North Solar Farm looking east from Barunga Top Road
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Figure 7: Snowtown North Solar Farm looking south west from Wokurna Road (near Hewitt Road intersection)
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6.3 Transport It has been assumed that the majority of the Solar Farm and infrastructure requirements will be transported from the Port Adelaide region using gazetted B-double routes. Three potential routes have been identified that link the Project site to the gazetted B-double routes. These routes considered road capacity and capability to accommodate the expected heavy vehicles, as well as safety for road users with respect to suitable sight distances to be aware of the presence of a junction, and ability to stop before reaching the collision point. All three routes can sufficiently accommodate two-lane two- way traffic. Figure 8 presents the three routes that were assessed for the increase in traffic during construction.
Figure 8: Route options to Snowtown North Solar Farm
Traffic volumes and the percentage of heavy vehicles would increase on these roads if Solar Farm traffic was to utilise them during construction, however, the total additional vehicles using the roads will be in the order of 25 light vehicles and four heavy vehicles per day for an eight month period. As presented in the Traffic Impact and Route Assessment report, this increase in traffic is unlikely to cause additional damage to the road or inconvenience to local residents. Further, based on the historical traffic counts, the traffic volume generated is considerably less than that generated by the wind farm construction period. Tilt will maintain local road pavements in a suitable condition. More detail around transport routes and traffic impacts is presented in the Traffic Impact and Route Assessment report presented in Appendix B. 6.4 Heritage In order to understand the cultural heritage and historical use of the site, Tilt undertook desktop research, including requesting information on registered sites within the project area from the Department of State Development (DSD) - Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation (ARR). The search results showed that no entries have been recorded within the proposed development area. Tilt has been working with the Adjahdura Narungga Heritage Group (ANHG) to ensure all heritage matters are considered in the planning of the project, and will be considered during construction.
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6.5 Site ecology The overall ecological impact of the proposed development is considered to be low as native vegetation clearance is not expected and the site is not providing critical habitat to any flora or fauna of conservation significance. A desktop and field based Flora and Fauna Assessment was undertaken by EBS Ecology to determine any environmental constraints that may be associated with the Project area (Appendix C). 6.5.1 Vegetation There were no nationally or state threatened flora species observed at the site. Given the lack of native vegetation and historical land practices on site, this was not an unexpected finding of the study. Three vegetation associations were described within the survey area (Figure 9): Native grassland (Association 1): open grassland dominated by Enneapogon nigricans (Black-head Grass)/Austrostipa sp. (Spear-grass). The association was generally highly degraded and weed dominated. Exotic grassland +/- scattered native species (Association 2): dominated by exotic grasses and herbs including Condon dactylon (Couch), Piptatherum miliaceum (Rice Millet), Sonchus oleraceus (Common Sow-thistle) and Heliotropium europaeum (Common Heliotrope). Native species Salsola australis (Buckbush) and Vittadinia gracilis (Woolly New Holland Daisy) were sparsely scattered within this association. Cropping (Association 3): No native vegetation was present in this association. Three declared weeds under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 were identified during the flora survey including Bathurst Burr, Salvation Jane and Horehound. These will require management during construction to control the spread of weeds, and Tilt has scoped a Contractor’s Environmental Management Framework (CEMF) to inform contractors of their obligations during construction (Appendix E).
Figure 9: Mapped Vegetation Associations
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6.5.2 Fauna The assessment of fauna and fauna habitat indicated the following: No nationally or state threatened fauna species were observed at or near the site The areas of native grassland may support the nationally endangered Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard, nationally vulnerable Flinders Worm Lizard and the nationally critically endangered Plain’s Wanderer. However:
▪ these species are unlikely to utilise the site ▪ there are no records of these species being found in close proximity to the site
▪ the native grassland is degraded and surrounded by agricultural land. An EPBC referral will not be required as there are no species of significance that will be affected by this project. The site would offer foraging habitat for kangaroos, reptiles, birds and brown snakes. The majority of the Solar Farm infrastructure will be installed in cleared cropping land. The proposed location for access to the site is exotic grassland with low ecological value. Based on this, the impact on fauna habitat will be negligible. The disturbance to reptile species and birds inhabiting the proposed Project area is expected to be localised and short term during the construction period. Potential impacts to fauna will be managed during construction, operation and decommissioning through implementation of a Contractor’s Environmental Management Plan (CEMP). A Contractor’s Environmental Management Framework (CEMF) is included in Appendix E. 6.6 Stormwater management The proposed layout of solar panels will not form a continuous impervious area, but a series of angled impervious areas with open spaces in between. The existing soil cover under the solar panels is expected to remain the same during the operational phase of the Project. Therefore, the proposed development will not change the topography of the site, but the panels are expected to change the runoff pattern and create localised flow paths (Appendix D). A Surface Water Strategy has been developed to: Manage stormwater discharge from the site to allow it to disperse overland Protect the site from upstream runoff Prevent concentrated discharge to downstream properties Manage runoff within the site such that erosion is minimised.
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To meet these objectives, the following surface water management measurers are proposed: Cut off drains along the eastern boundaries to intercept upstream overland flows from external catchments Internal swales on the western boundaries and both sides of the access track to intercept and convey overland flow from the site and internal flow paths Retention basins along the western boundaries to collect stormwater from the internal swales; retain stormwater allowing infiltration and evaporation; and reduce the concentration of overland flows discharging to downstream sites, and the potential for erosion. The proposed stormwater management measures are shown in Figure 10.
Figure 10: Stormwater management strategy
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6.7 Employment The project is expected to employ a peak of approximately 200 staff over the 8 month construction period. The selected construction contractor will be encouraged to use a local workforce where possible to provide opportunities for local individuals and businesses to build experience in a new industry and increase the employment rate in the Wakefield Regional Council area. In addition to direct employment, it is expected that indirect employment opportunities will be generated, as well as a potential increase in revenue to local businesses as a flow-on effect from the increase in population in the area during construction. The proposed development is estimated to require 1 to 2 full time employees over the 30 year life of the project. These employees are expected to be local residents in close enough proximity to travel to/from work daily. Local businesses will also be utilised for maintenance requirements where possible. Additional workforce to the operational staff will be required for decommissioning, however this number is currently unknown. 6.8 Decommissioning The decommissioning of the site will involve the removal of structures erected as part of the Solar Farm construction and remediation back to the previous land condition. Decommissioning activities will be similar in impact to the construction phase and will be appropriately managed through the CEMP. 6.9 Community benefit The Lend-A-Hand Foundation was set up by Tilt Renewables to support community projects/causes as a commitment resulting from the Snowtown Wind Farm Development. Tilt Renewables will commit additional funding to the Lend-A-Hand Foundation (or an equivalent alternative in consultation with the community) for the Solar Farm Development.
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7.0 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT Following on from the relationships built during the development of the Snowtown Wind Farm, Tilt Renewables is committed to continued meaningful engagement and communication with the Snowtown community and other interested parties through the entire life cycle of the project. A comprehensive list of stakeholders who may have interest in the Project was compiled and a strategy developed to ensure all stakeholders remain informed and have the opportunity to participate in the decisions that might affect them. Prior to lodging this Development Application, Tilt Renewables undertook early consultation involving: face-to-face meetings with key stakeholders information packs sent to all neighbours within 5 km of the site and other key stakeholders including local businesses and community organisations an open invitation community information session. A community information session was held on 20 June 2017 and provided an opportunity for interested members of the community to gain information, talk to the Project team and provide feedback. A summary of the feedback received as a result of the early engagement activities is as follows: Members of the public were generally positive about the Solar Farm development in the Snowtown area The CFS highlighted considerations for design, construction and operation associated with fire safety The Wakefield Regional Council was positive about the project and the benefit it brings to the community Snowtown Primary School Principal identified the benefits of the development to the School community Representatives from the Community Engagement Committee, Sureway Employment and Training, Snowtown Lend-A-Hand Foundation and Primary Industries and Regions SA were also positive about the Project. The Development Application includes the design and management considerations resulting from community consultation.
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8.0 PROJECT CONCLUSIONS Tilt Renewables Limited has proposed to design, construct, operate and maintain a 45 MW Solar Farm. Technical assessment has been undertaken to understand the impact of the development, including: Traffic Ecological Surface water Visual. The studies concluded that the development is appropriately sited in that the Solar Farm: Is consistent with the objectives and desired future character of the zone which seeks renewable energy developments Has very low impact with respect to the traffic and transport generated through construction and operation Has negligible ecological footprint as the site has been historically cleared of native vegetation Increases the reliability of the renewable energy generated by Snowtown Wind Farms with limited infrastructure requirements. The proposal meets relevant Council-wide development objectives and principles of development control, and is also consistent with the State plans for increased security in renewable energy generation. The facility has been strategically sited and designed to minimise visibility within the surrounding environment as much as practicable. The community and other stakeholders support the Solar Farm development. It is considered that the proposal will provide important community and state benefit and provide opportunities for local residents and businesses. We are therefore of the opinion that the proposal has sufficient merit to warrant Development Plan Consent.
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Report Signature Page
GOLDER ASSOCIATES PTY LTD
Hannah Keynes Lissa van Camp Environmental Scientist Principal Environmental Consultant
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23 November 2017 Report No. 1671306-006-R-Rev4
SNOWTOWN NORTH SOLAR FARM- PLANNING REPORT
APPENDIX A Certificate of Title
23 November 2017 Report No. 1671306-006-R-Rev4
Product Register Search (CT 6118/647) Date/Time 27/07/2017 12:32PM Customer Reference Tilt Order ID 20170727006067 Cost $28.25
The Registrar-General certifies that this Title Register Search displays the records maintained in the Register Book and other notations at the time of searching.
Certificate of Title - Volume 6118 Folio 647 Parent Title(s) CT 6024/317 Creating Dealing(s) TG 11989295, TG 11989296 Title Issued 13/09/2013 Edition 1 Edition Issued 13/09/2013 Estate Type FEE SIMPLE Registered Proprietor MICHAEL STUART JAMIESON REBECCA JANE JAMIESON OF PO BOX 21 BLYTH SA 5462 AS JOINT TENANTS Description of Land ALLOTMENT COMPRISING PIECES 60, 62 AND 63 DEPOSITED PLAN 74588 IN THE AREA NAMED WOKURNA HUNDRED OF BARUNGA Easements SUBJECT TO EASEMENT(S) OVER THE LAND MARKED D ON FP 57308 TO THE MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE (T 2024644) SUBJECT TO EASEMENT(S) OVER THE LAND MARKED C ON FP 57308 (TG 10847718) SUBJECT TO EASEMENT(S) OVER THE LAND MARKED AA ON FP 57308 (TG 10918775) SUBJECT TO EASEMENT(S) OVER THE LAND MARKED J ON FP 57308 (TG 11989295) SUBJECT TO EASEMENT(S) OVER THE LAND MARKED H ON FP 57308 (TG 11989296) Schedule of Dealings Dealing Number Description 11573558 MORTGAGE TO NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LTD. 11989297 LEASE TO SNOWTOWN WIND FARM PTY. LTD. COMMENCING ON 31/1/2013 AND EXPIRING ON 29/1/2018 OF PORTION (DC 58 IN FP 57383) 12627278 MORTGAGE OF LEASE 11989297 TO NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LTD. (ACN: 004 044 937) Notations Dealings Affecting Title NIL Priority Notices NIL Notations on Plan NIL Registrar-General's Notes
Land Services Page 1 of 2 Copyright Privacy Disclaimer: www.sailis.sa.gov.au/home/showCopyright www.sailis.sa.gov.au/home/showPrivacyStatement www.sailis.sa.gov.au/home/showDisclaimer Product Register Search (CT 6118/647) Date/Time 27/07/2017 12:32PM Customer Reference Tilt Order ID 20170727006067 Cost $28.25
APPROVED FILED PLAN FOR LEASE PURPOSES FX57383 Administrative Interests NIL
Land Services Page 2 of 2 Copyright Privacy Disclaimer: www.sailis.sa.gov.au/home/showCopyright www.sailis.sa.gov.au/home/showPrivacyStatement www.sailis.sa.gov.au/home/showDisclaimer Product Register Search (CT 6118/648) Date/Time 27/07/2017 12:34PM Customer Reference Tilt Order ID 20170727006092 Cost $28.25
The Registrar-General certifies that this Title Register Search displays the records maintained in the Register Book and other notations at the time of searching.
Certificate of Title - Volume 6118 Folio 648 Parent Title(s) CT 6012/833 Creating Dealing(s) TG 11989296 Title Issued 13/09/2013 Edition 1 Edition Issued 13/09/2013 Estate Type FEE SIMPLE Registered Proprietor MICHAEL STUART JAMIESON REBECCA JANE JAMIESON OF PO BOX 21 BLYTH SA 5462 AS JOINT TENANTS Description of Land SECTION 250 HUNDRED OF BARUNGA IN THE AREA NAMED WOKURNA Easements SUBJECT TO EASEMENT(S) OVER THE LAND MARKED D ON FP 57308 TO THE MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE (T 2024644) SUBJECT TO EASEMENT(S) OVER THE LAND MARKED C ON FP 57308 (TG 10847718) SUBJECT TO EASEMENT(S) OVER THE LAND MARKED H ON FP 57308 (TG 11989296) Schedule of Dealings Dealing Number Description 11573558 MORTGAGE TO NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LTD. Notations Dealings Affecting Title NIL Priority Notices NIL Notations on Plan NIL Registrar-General's Notes NIL Administrative Interests NIL
Land Services Page 1 of 1 Copyright Privacy Disclaimer: www.sailis.sa.gov.au/home/showCopyright www.sailis.sa.gov.au/home/showPrivacyStatement www.sailis.sa.gov.au/home/showDisclaimer SNOWTOWN NORTH SOLAR FARM- PLANNING REPORT
APPENDIX B Traffic Impact and Route Assessment
23 November 2017 Report No. 1671306-006-R-Rev4
Tilt Renewables Snowtown North Energy Solar Farm
TRAFFIC IMPACT & ROUTE ASSESSMENT
Job No. ADL170617 / 0 21 July 2017
Revision History
Rev Date Issue Originator Checker Approver
A 23 June 2017 Draft for Comment SSS/MO’F JZ JZ
B 29 June 2017 Revised Draft for SSS/MO’F JZ JZ Comment
0 21 July 2017 Final Issue SSS JZ JZ
i WGA Snowtown North Energy Solar Farm Job No. ADL170617 / 0
CONTENTS
1 Introduction...... 1 1.1 Background ...... 1 1.2 Scope of the Assessment ...... 2 1.3 Supporting Information ...... 2 2 Route Options ...... 3 2.1 General ...... 3 2.2 Gazetted Freight Routes ...... 3 2.3 Route Options ...... 5 3 Vehicle Volumes ...... 6 3.1 Existing Traffic ...... 6 3.2 Generated Traffic ...... 7 3.2.1 General ...... 7 3.2.2 Construction ...... 7 3.2.3 Operation ...... 8 3.3 Network Traffic Impact ...... 8 4 Roadway Assessment ...... 11 4.1 General ...... 11 4.2 Typical Road Geometry ...... 11 4.2.1 General ...... 11 4.2.2 Route A (Wokurna Road East) ...... 11 4.2.3 Route B (Barunga Top Road) ...... 12 4.2.4 Route C (Wokurna Road West) ...... 14 4.2.5 Summary ...... 15 4.3 Pavement Condition ...... 16 4.3.1 General ...... 16 4.3.2 Route A (Wokurna Road East) ...... 17 4.3.3 Route B (Barunga Top Road) ...... 18 4.3.4 Route C (Wokurna Road West) ...... 19 4.3.5 Summary ...... 19 4.4 Stormwater Drainage ...... 19 4.4.1 General ...... 19 4.4.2 Route A (Wokurna Road East) ...... 19 4.4.3 Route B (Barunga Top Road) ...... 20 4.4.4 Route C (Wokurna Road West) ...... 21 4.5 Junctions ...... 21 4.5.1 General ...... 21 4.5.2 Route A (Wokurna Road East) ...... 22 4.5.3 Route C (Wokurna Road West) ...... 32 4.5.4 Junction of Wokurna Road with Proposed Solar Farm Access ...... 35 4.5.5 Summary ...... 38 4.6 General Network Issues ...... 38
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5 Route Option Assessment ...... 41 5.1 Route Assessment ...... 41 5.2 Preferred Route ...... 45 6 Summary ...... 46 6.1 General ...... 46 6.2 Impact on Traffic ...... 46 6.3 Preferred Route ...... 47 7 References ...... 48
Appendices Appendix A Traffic Volumes
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1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND Wallbridge Gilbert Aztec (WGA) has been engaged by Tilt Renewables to undertake a traffic impact and route assessment for a proposed solar farm to be located near Snowtown, South Australia. The purpose of the assessment is to examine the condition of the existing road network and its suitability to accommodate heavy vehicle movements and the proposed traffic demand to assist with the Development Application with the Development Assessment Commission.
The site is proposed to be located adjacent an existing substation for the Snowtown Wind Farm off of Wokurna Road, as shown Figure 1 below.
PROPOSED SOLAR FARM
N
Figure 1 Proposed location of solar farm It is understood that the solar farm will consist of a fixed or single axis tracking solar PV plant targeting up to 50MW capacity and will comprise a number of panels and inverters, and will include an access track which will span the upper part of the site from Wokurna Road, as shown in Figure 2 below.
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Figure 2 Proposed site layout (source: Tilt Renewables) The transportation of materials for the site will lead to a temporary increase in the number of heavy vehicles on the adjacent roads and Tilt Renewables is seeking to ensure that the network is in a suitable condition to accommodate the anticipated volumes and that the impact to amenity on the surrounding road network is minimised.
1.2 SCOPE OF THE ASSESSMENT The route assessment incorporates the following elements:
• Identification of potential routes • Calculation of heavy vehicle volumes likely to be generated by the proposed solar farm • Assessment of the current condition of the identified routes, identifying hazards and impediments to heavy vehicle movements and recommending treatments where required • Recommendation of a route for use as the primary access to the proposed solar farm
1.3 SUPPORTING INFORMATION A site assessment was undertaken on 8 June 2017 by WGA, and incorporated reviewing each of the proposed routes. Information on projected heavy vehicle volumes during counts was provided by Tilt Renewables.
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2 ROUTE OPTIONS
2.1 GENERAL WGA has developed a number of routes to be assessed as part of this report. In developing route options for assessment, it has been assumed that the majority of heavy vehicles will access the proposed site from the South, travelling via gazetted freight routes to the Snowtown area. This is based on the assumption that the majority of solar farm components will be sourced from the Port Adelaide region and movements produced during the operational period of the solar farm will generally be from the Adelaide region.
2.2 GAZETTED FREIGHT ROUTES The gazetted freight routes in the vicinity of the proposed solar farm have been obtained from DPTI’s RavNet website and are illustrated in Figure 3 below. It can be seen that in the vicinity of the site there are two gazetted B-double routes (Barunga Gap Road and Upper Yorke Road) and one gazetted road train route (Augusta Highway). As these roads are all gazetted freight routes they have not been assessed as part of this report, and it has been assumed that all freight will access the site from one of these gazetted routes.
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PROPOSED HIGHWAY AUGUSTA
SOLAR FARM
B-DOUBLE ROAD TRAIN Port Adelaide N
Figure 3 Gazetted freight routes in the vicinity of the proposed solar farm
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2.3 ROUTE OPTIONS Three potential routes have been identified that link the proposed site of the solar farm to gazetted B- double routes, and these are illustrated in Figure 4 below. All three routes utilise local unsealed roads to access the proposed site.
PROPOSED HIGHWAY AUGUSTA ROUTE C – WOKURNA SOLAR FARM ROAD WEST
ROUTE A – WOKURNA ROAD
EAST
ROUTE B – BARUNGA TOP ROAD
B-DOUBLE ROAD TRAIN N
Figure 4 Route options to proposed solar farm The routes are as follows:
• Route A (Wokurna Road East) accesses the proposed solar farm site from the Augusta Highway via Wokurna Road and is the only one of the three routes that is accessed from a gazetted road train route. • Route B (Barunga Top Road) accesses the proposed solar farm site from Barunga Gap Road (a gazetted B Double route) via Barunga Top Road. Two options have been assessed within the northern section of Route B to access the site, one utilising Hewitt Road and one utilising the continuation of Barunga Top Road. For the purpose of this assessment, it has been assumed that heavy vehicles utilising this route will travel to Barunga Gap Road via the Augusta Highway. • Route C (Wokurna Road West) accesses the proposed solar farm site from Upper Yorke Road (a gazetted B Double route) via Wokurna Road. It should be noted that although Wokurna Road is one continuous road that stretches from Augusta Highway to Upper Yorke Road, for the purposes of this assessment it has been split into two sections, which will be referred to hereinafter by basic designation:
• Wokurna Road East which stretches from Augusta Highway to the proposed solar farm access point; and • Wokurna Road West which stretches from the proposed solar farm access point to Upper Yorke Road
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3 VEHICLE VOLUMES
3.1 EXISTING TRAFFIC Existing traffic volumes of local roads have been provided by Wakefield Regional Council, and traffic volumes on DPTI operated roads obtained from the SAViewer Website. The most recent traffic volumes are summarised in Table 3.1 below, which includes the annual average daily traffic volumes (AADTs) and the percentage of heavy vehicles (%HV) on each road. No traffic volume information was available on Hewitt Road.
Table 3.1 Existing traffic volumes Road Year of Count AADT %HV Source Augusta Highway 2016 3700 21.50% SAViewer Website Barunga Gap Road 2013 310 19.50% SAViewer Website Upper Yorke Road 2012 440 11.00% SAViewer Website Wokurna Road East 2013 22 25.20% Council Barunga Top Road 2009 18 7.10% Council Wokurna Road West 2013 91 12.20% Council Figure 5 below shows the location and volumes of historical traffic data. For example, it can be seen that there were two sets of traffic count data provided by Council for Wokurna Road West. The count undertaken in 2011 showed an AADT of 19 vehicles, of which 13.1% were heavy vehicles, whilst another count undertaken in 2013 showed an AADT of 91 vehicles (of which 12.2% were heavy vehicles).
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AADT 122, 22.7% HV (2007) AADT 19, 13.1% HV (2011) AADT 45, 43.9% HV (2009) AADT 91, 12.2% HV (2013) AADT 22, 25.2% HV (2013)
WOKURNA ROAD WEST HIGHWAY AUGUSTA
AADT 16, 6.4 % HV (2006) AADT 18, 7.1% HV (2009)
AADT 202, 50.1% HV (2007)
AADT 58, 8.9% HV (2006) AADT 72, 26.6% HV (2006) AADT 160, 13.2% HV (2009)
AADT 42, 23.2% HV (2009)
N
Figure 5 Existing traffic volumes, AADT and %HV (year of count) (sourced from Wakefield Regional Council) It can be seen from Figure 5 above that the traffic volumes on Wokurna Road and Barunga Top Road have varied significantly over previous years. It is understood that this is likely due to various construction phases of the adjacent wind farm.
The traffic volumes show that at the peak of construction of the wind farm (likely around 2007), the traffic volumes increased dramatically. For example, compared to the most recent traffic count taken in 2013, the traffic volumes in 2007 were 450% greater on Wokurna Road East.
3.2 GENERATED TRAFFIC
3.2.1 General Information on the amount and type of traffic expected to be generated by the construction and operation of the solar farm has been provided by Tilt Renewables. The majority of vehicle movements generated will be within the (approximate) eight month construction period, with minimal traffic expected to be generated by the site once operational.
3.2.2 Construction Construction period volumes provided by Tilt Renewables are shown in Table 3.2 below, and include an estimate of the average weekly volume of vehicle trips based on an eight month construction period. The use of the term ‘Trip’ represents a one-way vehicular movement from one point to another. Therefore, a vehicle entering and leaving the solar farm will correspond to two trips.
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Table 3.2 Construction period traffic volumes Vehicle Type Vehicle Trips - Vehicle Trips - Vehicle Trips - Total for Average Per Average Per Day Construction Week Period B-Double Trucks – Construction Materials 580 18 3 Flat Bed Trucks (Semi-trailers) transporting earth moving 240 8 1 machinery including Graders, Forklifts etc 25 Seater Bus 90 3 <1 Light Vehicles 4800 150 21 Total 5710 178 25
It can be seen in Table 3.2 above that that the majority of movements to the site during the construction period are expected to be by light vehicles, followed by B-Doubles and semi-trailers carrying construction plant. Some small buses are also assumed to access the site during the construction period.
3.2.3 Operation Tilt Renewables have advised that there will be two staff on a permanent basis present at the site for the operational period. For the purposes of this assessment, WGA have assumed that these staff will work six day weeks and will travel to site in separate light vehicles. In addition to these movements, WGA have estimated that on average there will be one semi-trailer movement a month to allow for maintenance as required. These volumes are summarised in Table 3.3 below.
Table 3.3 Operational period traffic volumes Vehicle Type Vehicle Trips - Average Vehicle Trips - Average Per Week Per Day Semi-trailers 0.5 <1 Light Vehicles 24 4 Total 24.5 4
3.3 NETWORK TRAFFIC IMPACT Table 3.4 and Table 3.5 below show the estimated impact on the surrounding road network resulting from the traffic to be generated by the development during the operational and construction phases. These volumes and percentages have been calculated on the assumption that the forecast traffic will be the sum of the existing traffic volume and 100% of the traffic trips generated by the solar farm.
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Table 3.4 Network traffic impact - construction Road Relevant AADT % HV Route Existing Forecast % Existing Forecast % Increase Increase Augusta A 3700 3725 1% 21.50% 21.5% Highway 0% Barunga Gap B 310 335 8% 19.50% 19.2% Road 0% Upper Yorke C 440 465 6% 11.00% 11.3% Road 0% Wokurna Road A 22 47 116% 25.20% 20.2% East 0% Barunga Top B 18 43 142% 7.10% 12.3% Road 5% Wokurna Road C 91 116 28% 12.20% 13.0% West 1%
Table 3.5 Network traffic impact – operational Road Relevant AADT % HV Route Existing Forecast % Existing Forecast % Increase Increase Augusta A 3700 3703 0.1% 21.50% 21.5% 0.0% Highway Barunga Gap B 310 313 1.1% 19.50% 19.3% 0.0% Road Upper Yorke C 440 443 0.8% 11.00% 10.9% 0.0% Road Wokurna Road A 22 25 15.6% 25.20% 22.1% 0.0% East Barunga Top B 18 21 19.0% 7.10% 6.3% 0.0% Road Wokurna Road C 91 94 3.8% 12.20% 11.8% 0.0% West
It can be seen in Table 3.4 and Table 3.5 that the traffic generated by the solar farm will only have a slight impact on traffic volumes on DPTI operated roads (Augusta Highway, Barunga Gap Road and Upper Yorke Road), with the maximum increase in AADT equivalent to 8% (Barunga Gap Road during construction).
During the construction period, Barunga Top Road would be most affected by the increase in traffic volumes due to the solar farm construction, resulting in a 142% increase in AADT and a 5% increase in the percentage of heavy vehicles, followed by Wokurna Road East and then Wokurna Road West. Barunga Top Road would also be most impacted by the operational traffic volumes, with an increase in AADT of 19% (although no increase in the percentage of heavy vehicles).
Based on the historical traffic counts, the traffic volume generated will result in considerably less impact than those generated by the wind farm construction period, which was in the order of a 450% increase in AADT (refer to Section 3.1). For example, in 2007 (presumed to be a peak wind farm construction period), Wokurna Road East had an AADT of 202. In contrast, during the construction period of the proposed solar farm, the AADT of Wokurna Road East is expected to increase to only 47.
In summary, although the traffic volumes and percentage of heavy vehicles will increase on these roads if solar farm traffic was to utilise them during construction, the total additional vehicles to utilise the roads is in the order of 25 light vehicles and 4 heavy vehicles per day for eight months and is unlikely to cause major additional damage to the road or inconvenience to local residents. Based on
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the historical traffic counts, the traffic volume generated is considerably less than that generated by the wind farm construction period.
The increase on all roads during the operational period is considered negligible due to the small volume of traffic generated.
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4 ROADWAY ASSESSMENT
4.1 GENERAL As discussed in Section 3.1, the proposed solar farm will be accessed via local unsealed roads utilising the potential routes identified. On 8 June 2017, WGA undertook a site assessment of the identified route options, and this section includes a summary of the findings.
The following items were assessed for each route:
• Road Geometry • Pavement Condition • Stormwater Drainage • Junctions In addition to the site specific issues identified, a number of items were also identified that were considered applicable to all sites, and these are discussed further in Section 4.1 below.
4.2 TYPICAL ROAD GEOMETRY
4.2.1 General A high level assessment of the typical cross sections along the proposed routes has been undertaken to determine suitability for operation of heavy vehicles during the construction phase.
The cross sections have been assessed against recommendations contained within the ARRB Unsealed Roads Manual, Guidelines to Good Practice (ARRB Unsealed Roads Manual), where Table 4.14 recommends a typical minimum carriageway width of 7.0m for a two-lane two-way road, to allow vehicles to pass without the need to stop. It should be noted however that Austroads Guide to Road Design, Part 3: Geometric Design, Section 4.2.6, states that for roads where volumes are less that 150vpd a single-lane two-way carriageway may be suitable.
4.2.2 Route A (Wokurna Road East)
Wokurna Road East Typically, Wokurna Road East was found to comprise an 8-10 m wide unsealed carriageway, narrowing to a 7.0 m width toward the western end (approximately 2.0 km before the proposed solar farm access point). Within the sealed sections, the sealed carriageway typically had a 7 m width, with 1 m unsealed shoulders. In accordance with the ARRB Unsealed Roads Manual, the existing width of Wokurna Road East is therefore considered suitable for a two-lane two-way road. A typical section of Wokurna Road East is shown in Figure 6 below.
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Figure 6 Typical section of Wokurna Road East The section of Wokurna Road East from the Augusta Highway to approximately 4.5 km from the proposed solar farm access point is relatively flat and straight, with westbound vehicles then encountering a steady incline (to approximately 1.5 km from the proposed solar farm access point) and horizontal curves followed by a steep decline to the proposed solar farm access point with a number of horizontal curves.
Truck warning signs were observed on the eastbound approach to the narrower section of Wokurna Road East, and curve warning signs were observed on both approaches to a number of tight curves. The steep batters toward the western end of Wokurna Road East were protected with W-beam guardrails, and guide posts were present along the length of the road. Overhead power lines crossed Wokurna Road East approximately 2 km from the proposed solar farm access point.
Three properties are accessed from Wokurna Road East between the Augusta Highway and the proposed solar farm access point, with Wokurna Road East sealed to approximately 150 m either side of the access points. Three wind farm access gates are also located on Wokurna Road East, although it is noted that their current condition indicates that they may not be heavily utilised.
4.2.3 Route B (Barunga Top Road)
Barunga Top Road Typically, Barunga Top Road was found to comprise an 8-10 m wide unsealed carriageway. In accordance with the ARRB Unsealed Roads Manual, the existing width of Barunga Top Road is therefore considered suitable for a two-lane two-way road. A typical section of Barunga Top Road is shown in Figure 7 below.
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Figure 7 Typical section of Barunga Top Road The section of Barunga Top Road that stretches from Barunga Gap Road in the south to the intersection with Wokurna Road in the north is relatively flat and straight, with a small number of horizontal curves existing toward the southern end of Barunga Top Road on the approach to Barunga Gap Road.
Guide posts were present at horizontal curves and at culvert crossings. An overhead power line runs along the length of the western side of Barunga Top Road, before branching off approximately 4.5 km before the intersection with Barunga Gap Road. The stobie poles associated with the overhead power line were offset approximately 2 m from the carriageway.
Eight properties are accessed from Barunga Top Road between Barunga Gap Road and Wokurna Road. A wind farm access gate is also located on Barunga Top Road, approximately 600 m north of the junction with Barunga Gap Road. There are also a number of minor roads that intersect with Barunga Gap Road, including Railway Terrace North, School Corner Road, Venning Road and Tower View Road/Shadwell Gap Road.
A disused rail crossing also exists on Barunga Top Road, approximately 150 m to the north of the intersection with Barunga Gap Road.
Hewitt Road Hewitt Road, which stretches from Barunga Gap Road in the east to Wokurna Road in the west, was found to typically comprise a 6 m wide unsealed carriageway, which, in accordance with the ARRB Unsealed Roads Manual, is slightly too narrow for a two-lane two-way road. A typical section of Hewitt Road is shown in Figure 8 below. The small section of sealed road adjacent the substation had a sealed carriageway width of 7 m, and unsealed shoulders of approximately 2 m width.
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Figure 8 Typical section of Hewitt Road Hewitt Road is relatively flat and straight, with a slight upwards incline from Barunga Top Road to Wokurna Road. High voltage power lines run along both sides of Hewitt Road for approximately 1 km from Wokurna Road, with poles offset an average of 3 m from the carriageway. An above-ground water pipeline (approximately 500 mm in diameter) also runs along the northern side of Hewitt Road for approximately 500 m (from Barunga Top Road).
Although no private properties are accessed from Hewitt Road, there is an access to the substation (located at the northern end) as well as an access gate adjacent the above ground pipe, approximately 500 m from the junction with Barunga Top Road.
4.2.4 Route C (Wokurna Road West)
Wokurna Road West Typically, Wokurna Road West was found to comprise an 8-10 m wide unsealed carriageway. In accordance with the ARRB Unsealed Roads Manual, the existing width of Wokurna Road West is therefore considered suitable for a two-lane two-way road. A typical section of Wokurna Road West is shown in Figure 9 below.
Figure 9 Typical section of Wokurna Road West Wokurna Road West is relatively flat and straight, with a small number of horizontal curves existing around the township of Wokurna.
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Guide posts were present at horizontal curves and at culvert crossings, and intersection warning signs were present at the approaches to the intersection of Aeroplane Road/Mundoora-Wokurna Road.
A small number of properties (approximately 9) are accessed from Wokurna Road West between Upper Yorke Road and the proposed solar farm access point, with the small township of Wokurna consisting of three of these properties as well as a disused community sports area (oval and tennis courts). A children’s bus stop was also located on Wokurna Road East within the township of Wokurna, with signage installed warning motorists to watch for children.
4.2.5 Summary All three routes had sufficient width to allow for a two-lane two-way road, with the exception of Hewitt Road (part of Route B – Barunga Top Road) which was slightly narrower.
Although the routes appear to consist of a suitable geometry for heavy vehicle traffic (with the exception of Hewitt Road), consideration should be given to trimming back vegetation to maintain sight safe distances and clear zones. This includes trimming at places where the vegetation is beginning to infringe within the carriageway, such as on Wokurna Road East (as shown in Figure 10) and where vegetation is restricting sight distance on horizontal curves, such as on Wokurna Road West (as shown in Figure 11). The amount of trimming required is expected to be minimal, and is considered comparable to the amount of trimming required for routine maintenance of roadside vegetation.
Figure 10 Vegetation infringing carriageway – Wokurna Road East
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Figure 11 Vegetation infringing horizontal curve sight lines - Wokurna Road West The installation of additional signage on the approach to minor intersections to further increase safety on the preferred route could also be considered, although it is noted that additional signage was not installed during the wind farm construction period (which had a higher volume of heavy vehicles utilising routes).
Further, consideration could also be given to additional traffic management arrangements to further prevent or minimise the risk of incidents occurring on the roads. For example, regular radio contact between heavy vehicle drivers when departing the proposed solar farm site or approaching local roads would assist in coordinating vehicle movements and greatly increase safety on the local roads. Drivers could instruct each other on their movements which would minimise the likelihood of opposing heavy vehicles travelling along road sections concurrently.
4.3 PAVEMENT CONDITION
4.3.1 General A high level assessment of the existing pavement condition along the proposed routes was undertaken as part of the site assessment. The existing pavement condition assessment has been used to develop high level treatment recommendations, which can be adopted to ensure that the pavement condition remains in a suitable condition to the end of the construction period if the route is to be adopted for the proposed development. Consequently, while areas of poor surface quality were identified on all roads during the assessment, specific details have not been included in this breakdown of findings.
It is noted that a number of the roads adjacent to the proposed solar farm are likely to have been recently utilised by a large volume of heavy vehicles during construction of the Snowtown Wind Farm, and are likely to continue to be used by a small amount of heavy vehicles generated by the Snowtown Wind Farm. It is also understood that a small volume of grain vehicles are also likely to use the local roads during agricultural harvest seasons. The condition of local roads is currently affected by the presence of these vehicles, which means that pavement condition will not be solely impacted by vehicles generated by the proposed solar farm.
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4.3.2 Route A (Wokurna Road East) Wokurna Road East typically consists of unsealed pavement; with short asphalt surfaced sections provided adjacent property access points.
The overall pavement condition of the unsealed pavement was observed to be generally good, with some corrugations and potholing identified along its length, particularly toward the western end of the road where the road is on a steep gradient (approximately 1 km before the proposed access to the solar farm). Within this western section, severe corrugations and minor rutting was observed. Loss of wearing course in the wheelpaths was also identified.
The typical pavement condition within this section is illustrated in Figure 12. These identified defects are likely to have been caused by the poor drainage controls present in this section, along with heavy vehicles trafficking the steep gradient during wet weather. A temporary “slippery surface sign” had been placed on the westbound approach to this section at the time of the site assessment.
Figure 12 Typical pavement section (western end of Wokurna Road East) The unsealed pavement at the transition between the unsealed and asphalt surfaced pavement sections was also identified to be in poor condition, likely due to the impact of heavy vehicles transitioning between the two pavement surfaces in wet weather. Defects identified within these areas included severe potholing, corrugations and loss of wearing course.
The asphalt surfaced sections were observed to be in good condition, with minor flushing present in the wheelpaths, as shown in Figure 13. The unsealed shoulders adjacent these sealed sections were observed to be in good condition, generally graded to fall away from the sealed carriageway and surfaced with granular material. The shoulders along the remaining length of the road varied greatly in condition, with some shoulders in excellent condition and others severely eroded.
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Figure 13 Typical condition of asphalt surfacing adjacent property access point
4.3.3 Route B (Barunga Top Road) Both Barunga Top Road and Hewitt Road are unsealed roads, with Hewitt Road sealed for a short section (approximately 200 m) adjacent the Wokurna Road junction to provide access to the existing substation.
The overall pavement condition of the unsealed pavement on Barunga Top Road was observed to be generally good, with minimal defects identified along its length except for minor corrugations and potholing at some locations.
Pavement condition on Hewitt Road was found to be poor with major deformations, loss of shape and loose material. The condition is particularly poor at steeper inclines or where drainage is poor. Figure 14 shows a typical erosion gully on the northern side of Hewitt Road.
Figure 14 Erosion gullies on Hewitt Road
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4.3.4 Route C (Wokurna Road West) Wokurna Road West is an unsealed road and the overall pavement condition of the unsealed pavement was observed to be generally good, with some corrugations and potholing identified along its length, particularly at curves in the road (as shown in Figure 15) and at areas of poor drainage.
Figure 15 Corrugations at curves on Wokurna Road West
4.3.5 Summary
It was identified during the site assessment that the condition of roads varied greatly, with significant differences in surface condition observed along the same roads. It is noted that unsealed pavements are more readily impacted by weather, traffic volumes and other factors than a sealed pavement which may contribute to this variability.
Along the length of unsealed roads, grading is recommended prior to the commencement of construction haulage activities. In severe areas of potholing and corrugations (such as adjacent sealed sections), it is recommended that pavement rehabilitation works are also carried out. Upon completion of the construction period, grading should be undertaken to leave the road in a suitable condition. During the construction period the condition of the pavement should be assessed regularly, with regrading undertaken when required.
The small amount of sealed pavement was observed to be in generally good condition, with minimal or no treatment works expected to be required to maintain the pavement to a suitable condition.
As outlined in section 3 , the majority of traffic movements will be generated during the eight month construction period, with minimal ongoing traffic generated by operations. Consequently, the maintenance of roads will only be required during the construction period.
4.4 STORMWATER DRAINAGE
4.4.1 General Existing drainage facilities along each route have been assessed. Although the site assessment was undertaken in dry conditions, areas where visible erosion was present were noted and it is recommended that these areas be monitored closely during the construction period for further deterioration.
4.4.2 Route A (Wokurna Road East) A number of culvert crossings were observed to exist along Wokurna Road East. These were generally found to be in good condition, with headwalls present and erosion control installed adjacent. However, one culvert (located within one of the sealed sections) was observed to have significant
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pavement damage likely caused by water flow over the road in a significant rainfall event, as shown in Figure 16 below.
Figure 16 Pavement damage adjacent culvert on Wokurna Road East A concrete floodway was also encountered along Wokurna Road East, as shown in Figure 17. The floodway appeared to be wide enough and in good enough condition to support heavy vehicles.
Figure 17 Concrete floodway on Wokurna Road East
4.4.3 Route B (Barunga Top Road) Barunga Top Road Road was observed to have generally good drainage, with a two way crossfall and table drains present along both sides of the road for the majority of its length. A typical table drain section is shown in Figure 18 below. No culvert crossing or floodways were observed on Barunga Top Road and there was minimal pavement damage observed that could be contributed to poor drainage (refer to 4.3.3).
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Figure 18 Typical table drain on Barunga Top Road
4.4.4 Route C (Wokurna Road West) Minimal drainage infrastructure was observed to exist on Wokurna Road West, with some sections of the road lacking in free drainage, such as shown in Figure 19. The pavement condition within these sections was generally found to be substandard (refer to 4.3.4). There were some sections of Wokurna Road East with table drains present, however these were minimal and generally short in length. No culvert crossing or floodways were observed on Wokurna Road West.
Figure 19 Poor drainage on Wokurna Road West
4.5 JUNCTIONS
4.5.1 General Junctions to be used by heavy vehicles on each route have been reviewed to identify deficiencies with the existing arrangements, to assess the suitability of the junctions to accommodate heavy vehicles and to determine whether any upgrades are required. Factors included as part of the junction assessment include signage, pavement condition, speed and sight distance. The junction of Wokurna Road with the proposed access point is applicable to all route options and has been discussed independently in Section 4.5.4.
Sight distance requirements for the assessed junctions have been based on Austroads Guide to Road Design, Part 4A: Unsignalised and Signalised Intersections. Approach Sight Distance (ASD) has been used for the minor road approaches and Safe Intersection Sight Distance (SISD) used for the major road approaches:
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ASD is the minimum level of sight distance which must be available on the minor road approaches to all junctions to ensure that drivers are aware of the presence of a junction.
SISD provides sufficient distance for a driver of a vehicle on the major road to observe a vehicle on a minor road approach moving into a collision situation and to decelerate to a stop before reaching the collision point.
Based on guidance provided in the Austroads Guide to Road Design, Part 3: Geometric Design and the ARRB Unsealed Roads Manual, the sight distance requirements shown in Table 4.1 have been developed and adopted for assessment. A 200 m ASD has been adopted for the unsealed road minor approaches, based on a design speed of 90km/h and a reaction time of 2.0 seconds (plus 30m for trucks).
Table 4.1 Sight distance requirements for assessment
Road Type Required SISD Comment
Unsealed Road (With 260 m Based on a design speed of 90km/h and a Advisory Signage) reaction time of 2.0 seconds, plus 30m for trucks.
Unsealed Road (No Advisory 350 m Based on a design speed of 110km/h and a Signage) reaction time of 2.0 seconds, plus 30m for trucks.
Sealed Road 100km/h Speed 330 m Based on a design speed of 110km/h and a Limit reaction time of 2.5 seconds
Sealed Road 110km/h Limit 330 m Based on a design speed of 120km/h and a with Advisory Signage reaction time of 2.0 seconds (as the presence of advisory signage will assist in increasing drivers’ awareness).
Sealed Road 110km/h Limit 370 m Based on a design speed of 120km/h and a No Advisory Signage reaction time of 2.5 seconds.
It is noted that in many cases where existing deficiencies have been identified, the issues affect all road users. Similarly, the recommended upgrades would benefit all road users.
There are also a number of minor roads that intersect with the routes, however due to the low volume of traffic expected to utilise these intersections, they have not been assessed as part of this report.
4.5.2 Route A (Wokurna Road East)
Intersection of Wokurna Road East with Augusta Highway The intersection of Wokurna Road East and the Augusta Highway is shown in Figure 14 and consists of Wokurna Road East meeting Augusta Highway at an approximate 70° angle. Windview Road, a minor local unsealed road, also meets Augusta Highway at the intersection from the east. Basic Left Turn (BAL) and Basic Right Turn (BAR) treatments have been applied to Wokurna Road East.
The dominant movements to be produced by the proposed solar farm are also illustrated in Figure 20 below, and consist of left turns from Augusta Highway to Wokurna Road East and right turns to Augusta Highway from Wokurna Road East.
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PRIMARY MOVEMENT FOR SOLAR N FARM
Figure 20 Intersection of Wokurna Road East/Augusta Highway
The junction site distance has been assessed, with findings summarised in Table 4.2 below.
Table 4.2 Junction sight distance summary – intersection of Wokurna Road East with Augusta Highway
Approach Road Type Meets Recommended Treatment Requirement
ASD Wokurna Road Unsealed Minor Approach Yes N/A East
SISD Augusta Sealed Road 110km/h Yes N/A Highway Limit No Advisory (Northbound Signage Approach)
SISD Augusta Sealed Road 110km/h No Treat vegetation to improve Highway Limit No Advisory sightlines (Southbound Signage Approach)
The SISD on the southbound approach of the Augusta Highway is restricted due to vegetation and a horizontal curve, and it is recommended that the vegetation is treated to improve sight distance, as shown in Figure 21 below. In particular, one large tree located approximately 280 m to the north of the intersection, shown in Figure 22, should be considered for treatment (i.e. trimming) as it restricts sight on approach to the intersection and is also likely located within the clear zone of the highway.
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TREAT VEGETATION N
Figure 21 Recommended vegetation treatment to improve sight distance
Figure 22 Large tree restricting sight distance on Augusta Highway In the vicinity of the intersection, Augusta Highway is sealed with approximately 2m wide unsealed shoulders, with the apron of Wokurna Road sealed up to 100 m on approach to the intersection.
The pavement condition on Wokurna Road at the intersection was observed to be in average condition during the site assessment with numerous potholes and deformations observed as shown in Figure 23.
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Figure 23 Pavement condition on Wokurna Road East at intersection with Augusta Highway The carriageway pavement within the vicinity of the intersection on Augusta Highway was in generally good condition; however the unsealed shoulder on the eastern side of the intersection was eroded and clear tyre marks were visible, indicating that turning vehicles from Wokurna Road East are likely often trafficking the unsealed shoulder when turning right onto the Augusta Highway. This was confirmed during the site inspection, when a semi-trailer turning right onto Augusta Highway from Wokurna Road East was observed to traffic the unsealed shoulder before returning to the main carriageway, as shown in Figure 24.
A BAR treatment could be applied to this shoulder to mitigate this, as illustrated in Figure 25. A BAR treatment incorporates additional sealing on the shoulder of the major road and would require approval from DPTI as Augusta Highway is a DPTI operated road. It is noted however that a BAR was not constructed to allow for wind farm construction traffic (which would have been significantly higher in heavy vehicle volumes than the traffic to be generated by the solar farm). An alternative to also be considered would be monitoring the condition of the unsealed shoulder during the construction period and applying rehabilitation treatments as necessary, such as granular overlays, to maintain safety at the intersection.
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Figure 24 Semi-trailer trafficking unsealed shoulder on Augusta Highway
Figure 25 Example BAR treatment (Source: AGRD4A: Unsignalised and Signalised Intersections)
Route B (Barunga Top Road) Intersection of Barunga Top Road with Barunga Gap Road The intersection of Barunga Top Road and Barunga Gap Road is shown in Figure 26. Landslide Road, a minor local road, also meets Barunga Gap Road at the intersection from the south.
The dominant movements to be produced by the proposed solar farm are also illustrated in Figure 26 below, and consist of right turns from Barunga Gap Road to Barunga Top Road and left turns to Barunga Gap Road from Barunga Top Road.
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PRIMARY MOVEMENT FOR SOLAR N FARM Figure 26 Intersection of Barunga Top Road/Barunga Gap Road
The junction site distance has been assessed, with findings summarised in Table 4.3 below.
Table 4.3 Junction sight distance summary – intersection of Wokurna Road East with Augusta Highway
Approach Road Type Meets Recommended Treatment Requirement
ASD Barunga Top Unsealed Minor Approach Yes N/A Road
SISD Barunga Gap Sealed Road 110km/h No (vertical Trim vegetation Road (Western Limit No Advisory curve limits Approach) Signage sight distance approx to 270 m)
SISD Barunga Gap Sealed Road 110km/h No (vertical Install junction warning signs Road (Eastern Limit No Advisory curve limits Approach) Signage sight distance approx to 270 m)
The SISD on the westbound approach of Barunga Gap Road to the junction is restricted due to a vertical curve. To improve the safety of the intersection, it is therefore recommended that junction warning signs be installed on this approach to warn motorists of the upcoming junction. The eastbound approach of Barunga Gap Road to the intersection is restricted due to vegetation and a horizontal curve, and it is recommended that the vegetation is treated to improve sight distance, as shown in Figure 27 below. It is noted however that this vegetation would have been in place during construction of the wind farm (which generated significantly higher vehicle volumes than the proposed development).
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TREAT VEGETATION N
Figure 27 Recommended vegetation treatment to improve sight distance
Intersection of Barunga Top Road with Wokurna Road The intersection of Barunga Top Road and Wokurna Road is shown in Figure 28 and consists of a four-way intersection (with Wokurna Road the major road with right of way). The dominant movements to be produced by the proposed solar farm are also illustrated in Figure 28 below, and consist of right turns from Barunga Top Road to Wokurna Road East and left turns to Barunga Top Road from Wokurna Road East.
Figure 28 Intersection of Barunga Top Road with Wokurna Road The junction site distance has been assessed, with findings summarised in Table 4.4 below.
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Table 4.4 Junction sight distance summary – intersection of Barunga Top Road with Wokurna Road Approach Road Type Meets Recommended Treatment Requirement
SISD Wokurna Road Unsealed Road (With No (due to Road realignment (not (Western Approach) Advisory Signage) vertical crest) recommended due to cost)
SISD Wokurna Road Unsealed Road (With Yes N/A (Eastern Approach) Advisory Signage)
ASD Barunga Top Unsealed Minor Approach Yes Trim vegetation Road (Southern Approach)
ASD Barunga Top Unsealed Minor Approach Yes N/A Road (Northern Approach)
The SISD on the eastbound approach to the intersection on Wokurna Road West does not meet the requirements due to a vertical curve which results in a crest approximately 80 m from the intersection. In order to increase this sight distance, remedial works would be required which is likely to be very costly. Although the ASD on the southbound approach to the intersection on Barunga Top Road meets the requirements, it is recommended that vegetation is trimmed to increase visibility of movements on Wokurna Road East (as this will be the dominant movement generated by the solar farm). The vegetation in question is shown in Figure 29. It is noted however that this vegetation would have been in place during construction of the wind farm (which generated significantly higher vehicle volumes than the proposed development).
REMOVE/TRIM VEGETATION N
Figure 29 Recommended vegetation treatment to improve sight distance
Infrastructure (fencing etc.) located on the south eastern corner of the intersection, shown in Figure 30 is also expected to cause issues with turning movements of heavy vehicles, and may need to be
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removed/relocated. The pavement condition was also observed to be poor, as can also be seen in Figure 30.
Figure 30 Infrastructure on south eastern corner of intersection
Intersection of Barunga Top Road with Hewitt Road The intersection of Barunga Top Road and Hewitt Road is shown in Figure 31 and consists of Y- junction arrangement at an approximate 70 degree angle. The dominant movements to be produced by the proposed solar farm are also illustrated in Figure 31 below, and consist of right turns from Barunga Top Road to Hewitt Road and left turns to Barunga Top Road from Hewitt Road.
Figure 31 Intersection of Barunga Top Road with Hewitt Road The junction site distance has been assessed, with findings summarised in Table 4.2 below.
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Table 4.5 Junction sight distance summary – intersection of Barunga Top Road with Hewitt Road Approach Road Type Meets Recommended Treatment Requirement
ASD Hewitt Road Unsealed Minor Approach Yes N/A
SISD Barunga Top Unsealed Road (With Yes N/A Road (Southern Advisory Signage) Approach)
SISD Barunga Top Unsealed Road (With Yes N/A Road (Northern Advisory Signage) Approach)
The pavement at this location was observed to be in poor condition, as shown in Figure 32, and it is recommended that rehabilitation treatment be applied to improve the pavement to improve safety at the junction.
Figure 32 Poor pavement condition
Intersection of Hewitt Road with Wokurna Road The intersection of Hewitt Road and Wokurna Road is shown in Figure 33 and consists of Y-junction arrangement at an approximate 60 degree angle.
The dominant movements to be produced by the proposed solar farm are also illustrated in Figure 33 below, and consist of right turns from Wokurna Road to Hewitt Road and left turns to Wokurna Road from Wokurna Road.
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Figure 33 Intersection of Hewitt Road with Wokurna Road The junction site distance has been assessed, with findings summarised in Table 4.6 below.
Table 4.6 Junction sight distance summary – intersection of Hewitt Road with Wokurna Road Approach Road Type Meets Recommended Treatment Requirement
ASD Hewitt Road Unsealed Minor Approach No Trim vegetation on corner to improve sight lines.
SISD Wokurna Unsealed Road (With Yes Road (Southern Advisory Signage) Approach)
SISD Wokurna Unsealed Road (With Yes Road (Northern Advisory Signage) Approach)
The ASD on the Hewitt Road approach to the intersection is approximately 20m and does not meet the requirements. It is recommended that vegetation be trimmed to improve this sight distance.
4.5.3 Route C (Wokurna Road West)
Intersection of Upper Yorke Road with Wokurna Road West (Cream Puff Corner) The intersection of Wokurna Road West and Upper Yorke Road, colloquially known as ‘Cream Puff Corner’, is shown in Figure 34 and consists of a four-way intersection with another minor road, Youngs Road, to the west. A rest area with some historical information displayed is located on the south eastern corner of the intersection.
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The dominant movements to be produced by the proposed solar farm are also illustrated in Figure 34 below, and consist of right turns from Upper Yorke Road to Wokurna Road West and left turns to Upper Yorke Road from Wokurna Road West.
Figure 34 Intersection of Barunga Top Road with Wokurna Road The junction site distance has been assessed, with findings summarised in Table 4.7 below.
Table 4.7 Junction sight distance summary – intersection of Barunga Top Road with Wokurna Road Approach Road Type Meets Recommended Treatment Requirement
ASD Wokurna Unsealed Minor Approach No Road realignment (not Road (Eastern recommended due to cost) Approach)
ASD Youngs Road Unsealed Minor Approach No Road realignment (not (Western recommended due to cost) Approach)
SISD Upper Yorkes Sealed Road (With No Road realignment (not Road (Southern Advisory Signage) recommended due to cost). Approach) Trim vegetation.
SISD Barunga Top Unsealed Road (With No Road realignment (not Road (Northern Advisory Signage) recommended due to cost). Approach) Trim vegetation.
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The required SISDs and ASDs are not met on any of the approaches to the intersection, with the ASD on Youngs Road and Wokurna Road West restricted by vertical curves and the SISD on both Upper Yorke Road approaches restricted due to horizontal and vertical curves.
Figure 35 and Figure 36 show the limited sight distance on Upper Yorkes Road at the southern and northern approaches, respectively. It is recommended that vegetation be treated (trimmed or removed) on these approaches to improve sight distance.
Figure 35 View towards the south from Wokurna Road West
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. Figure 36 View towards the north from Wokurna Road West
Intersection of Barunga Top Road with Wokurna Road Refer to Section 4.5.3.
4.5.4 Junction of Wokurna Road with Proposed Solar Farm Access The proposed location of the solar farm access point on Wokurna Road is shown in Figure 37. The dominant movements to be produced by the proposed solar farm will depend on the route option chosen, and could be either to the east or to the west.
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Figure 37 Intersection of proposed solar farm access with Wokurna Road The junction site distance has been assessed, with findings summarised in Table 4.8 below.
Table 4.8 Junction sight distance summary – intersection of proposed solar farm access with Wokurna Road Approach Road Type Meets Recommended Treatment Requirement
SISD Wokurna Unsealed Road (With Yes N/A Road (Southern Advisory Signage) Approach)
SISD Wokurna Unsealed Road (With Yes N/A Road (Northern Advisory Signage) Approach)
It can be seen in Table 4.8 above that the proposed access point location is expected to result in compliant sight distances. This is further illustrated in Figure 38 and Figure 39 below.
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Figure 38 View toward the West from the proposed access point on Wokurna Road
Figure 39 View toward the East from the proposed access point on Wokurna Road The width of Wokurna Road in this location is approximately 10 m, which is considered sufficient to allow for turning movements of heavy vehicles accessing the site (provided a sufficiently wide gate is installed), and the pavement appears in good condition. It should be noted however that the screwing movements generated by the turning heavy vehicles may result in pavement deterioration and the pavement should be monitored to ensure it remains in trafficable condition. A seal may need to be placed to further mitigate this if required.
The proposed access point should be placed to avoid existing infrastructure in the vicinity of the gate, including underground communications cables, as shown in Figure 40.
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Figure 40 Existing services in vicinity of proposed access point
4.5.5 Summary The junctions located within the proposed route options all vary with regard to condition and sight distance, with all having at least one non-compliant approach (with the exception of the intersection of Barunga Top Road and Hewitt Road). Various treatments are recommended to remedy this, with the majority consisting of vegetation trimming or removal.
4.6 GENERAL NETWORK ISSUES In addition to the route specific issues discussed above, it is anticipated that a number of potential issues will affect all of the assessed roads. The following issues are considered to apply to all of the assessed roads that will be used for construction haulage. For each issue, a recommended treatment has been proposed.
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Table 4.9 General network issues
Issue Description Recommended Treatment
Impact on Local It is noted that domestic property accesses are It is recommended that local residents are consulted in advance of all haulage Residents present on the majority of the assessed roads. activities, with further communication prior to commencement on specific roads. The volume of heavy vehicles using the routes during harvesting periods may impact upon local residents.
Environmental Impact During dry periods, airborne dust may be During dry periods, it is recommended that a water truck is employed on haulage generated by heavy vehicles using unsealed routes to dampen the surface and reduce the creation of airborne dust. roads, creating an environmental hazard. It is recommended that an environmental policy is developed for haulage operations. The policy should outline measures to be implemented to minimise the environmental impact of haulage operations.
Environmental Impact Noise generated by the projected heavy vehicle It is proposed that haulage will only be undertaken during daylight hours. This volumes may impact upon local residents. arrangement will assist in minimising disruption outside of those periods.
It is recommended that an environmental policy is developed for haulage operations. The policy should outline measures to be implemented to minimise the environmental impact of haulage operations.
Native Vegetation At a number of locations on the majority of the On all roads, it is recommended that vegetation is treated as required to maintain Impact assessed roads, vegetation was observed to clearances and sight lines. It is noted, however, that native vegetation may be overhang the roadway. While the level of impacted by the trimming. In areas where native vegetation is impacted, it is encroachment was typically not sufficient to impact recommended that the level of trimming is minimised. Consultation with Council upon light vehicle movements, it is anticipated that would assist in identifying native species and determining a suitable level of heavy vehicles may collide with overhanging trimming. vegetation.
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Issue Description Recommended Treatment
Agricultural It is possible that occasionally agricultural The use of “Stock on Road” signage and adherence to the Guidelines by stock Interaction machinery and livestock may be transported managers assists in alerting drivers to the presence of animals on the road. While across the proposed routes. The movement of there is no legal requirement for the use of signs, their use by local farmers should livestock in particular is likely to hinder through be encouraged, as the increase in traffic volumes resulting from construction will traffic due to the time required to herd animals. increase the likelihood of interaction between vehicles and livestock.
Those in charge of animals are responsible for To account for incidences where signage is not used by farmers, haulage drivers ensuring a reasonable standard of care for the should be educated as to the hazards posed by stock on roads and instructed to animals, including warning other road users of the drive accordingly. Driver awareness of the issue would assist in improving safety. hazard. The Government of South Australia document Guidelines for Using Stock on Road Signs outlines correct use of road signs to alert drivers to the presence of livestock on roads. It is noted that use of the signs does not place any legal requirement on drivers.
Roadway Advance During the construction period, heavy vehicle On-Road Warning Warning volumes on the access roads will be increased. As roads will also be used by local residents and It is considered that a portable variable message sign (VMS) would be suitable for potentially some tourists, it is recommended that providing advance warning on operational haulage routes. The VMS should be advance warning methods are implemented to placed at junctions with major roads. The display should warn of heavy vehicles alert drivers to the presence of heavy vehicles. using the road and hours of operation. In addition to the VMS, temporary signage could be placed at the proposed solar farm access points during the construction period. It is considered that the use of VMS and signage at the access points will assist in improving safety for all road users during the construction period.
Websites / Social Media
Council’s website and social media pages could be used to provide advance warning of construction haulage operations. Provision of advance notice would assist in improving safety, as car drivers would anticipate encounters with heavy vehicles.
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5 ROUTE OPTION ASSESSMENT
5.1 ROUTE ASSESSMENT A summary of each of the routes assessed is shown in Table 5.1 below, along with advantages and disadvantages of each route. The table also includes a summary of the distance and journey time to the proposed Solar Farm, which has been measured from the township of Port Wakefield using Google Maps.
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Table 5.1 Route option assessment summary
Section Route A (Wokurna Road East) Route B (Barunga Top Road) Route C (Wokurna Road West) Reference
Distance / - 61.2 km (43 minutes) 73.6 km (55 minutes) 76.8 km (58 minutes) Journey Time from Pt (via Augusta Highway) (via Augusta Highway, Barunga Gap (via Augusta Highway, Copper Coast Wakefield Road) Highway, Upper Yorke Road)
(means to start of Route)
Pavement Type - Unsealed Unsealed Unsealed
Sealed sections adjacent Small sealed section on Hewitt Road property accesses adjacent substation access
Increase in 3.3 Augusta Highway Barunga Gap Road Upper Yorke Road Traffic During Construction 1.0% (AADT) 8% (AADT) 6% (AADT) Period 0.0% (%HV) 0% (%HV) 0% (%HV)
Wokurna East Road Barunga Top Road Wokurna Road West
116% (AADT) 142% (AADT) 28% (AADT)
0% (%HV) 5% (%HV) 1% (%HV)
Pavement 4.3 Moderate Moderate-Good (Barunga Top Road) Moderate Condition Poor (Hewitt Road)
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Section Route A (Wokurna Road East) Route B (Barunga Top Road) Route C (Wokurna Road West) Reference
Road Geometry 4.2 Good Good (Barunga Top Road) Good
Moderate (Hewitt Road)
Stormwater 4.4 Moderate-Good Good (Barunga Top Road) Moderate Drainage Poor (Hewitt Road) Junctions 4.5 Junction Wokurna Road Junction Barunga Top Road/Barunga Junction Wokurna Road West/Upper East/Augusta Highway Gap Road Yorke Road
• Moderate sight lines • Moderate sight lines • Poor sight lines • Vegetation trimming/removal • Vegetation trimming/removal • Vegetation trimming/removal • BAR treatment • Pavement remedial works Junction Barunga Top Road/Wokurna Junction Barunga Top Road/Wokurna Road Road • Poor sight lines • Poor sight lines • Vegetation trimming/removal • Vegetation trimming/removal • Pavement remedial works • Pavement remedial works • Infrastructure removal • Infrastructure removal
Junction Barunga Top Road/Hewitt Road
• Good sight lines • Pavement remedial works
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Section Route A (Wokurna Road East) Route B (Barunga Top Road) Route C (Wokurna Road West) Reference
Advantages - • Quickest travel time and • Relatively consistent flat grade • Relatively consistent flat grade shortest travel distance from Minimal pavement rehabilitation Minimal pavement rehabilitation works Port Wakefield • • works on Barunga Top Road • Minimal pavement rehabilitation works • Least amount of resident accesses impacted – dust mitigation measures already in place • Good signage and infrastructure (guard rails etc) present Disadvantages - • Intersection remedial works • Inadequate sight lines at major • Route passes through children’s bus may be costly (shoulder intersections requiring significant stop and past multiple property accessed treatment) works • Inadequate sight lines at major • Relatively steep gradient at • Hewitt Road has poor geometrics and intersections requiring significant works locations has a poor pavement condition • Poor drainage infrastructure
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5.2 PREFERRED ROUTE Based on the assessments of each of the proposed routes, Route A (Wokurna Road East) is considered to be the most suitable for access to the proposed solar farm. It results in the shortest travel time and distance, connects to a gazetted road train route and impacts the least amount of properties. It also already has infrastructure in place that supports the use of heavy vehicles on the road, such as sealed sections adjacent property access points, good signage and formal drainage infrastructure.
It is recommended that the following issues are addressed prior to its adoption as the primary haulage routes:
• Vegetation treatment and pavement remedial works, including consideration of shoulder treatment at the intersection with Augusta Highway (refer to Section 4.5.2 above) • Pavement remedial works, including grading and localised rehabilitation works along the length of Wokurna Road East. These works should be particularly focussed toward the western end where the gradient increases. • Trimming of overhanging vegetation on Wokurna Road East to facilitate heavy vehicle movements (refer to Section 4.2.5 above) • Consultation with local residents to reduce impact of the construction period on the community • Signage and advanced notice of haulage operations to advise motorists of increase in heavy vehicles The second most appropriate route is considered to be Route B (Barunga Top Road), utilising the Hewitt Road to access the proposed solar farm access point. It should be noted that there will be a number of works required to make this a viable option, including reconstruction of Hewitt Road and intersection upgrades at the junction with Barunga Gap Road. It is recommended that the intersection of Wokurna Road and Barunga Top Road is avoided due to its poor sight distances, pavement condition and roadside hazards.
Route C (Wokurna Road West) is considered the most unsuitable, given the fact that it passes through the township of Wokurna, would require costly remedial works at the intersection of Upper Yorke Road and Wokurna Road and would require heavy vehicles to utilise the intersection of Wokurna Road and Barunga Gap Road.
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6 SUMMARY
6.1 GENERAL Wallbridge Gilbert Aztec (WGA) has been engaged by Tilt Renewables to undertake a traffic impact and route assessment for a proposed solar farm to be located near Snowtown, South Australia. The purpose of the assessment is to examine the condition of the existing road network and its suitability to accommodate heavy vehicle movements.
Three potential routes have been identified that link the proposed site of the solar farm to gazetted B- double routes, illustrated in Figure 41 below, utilising local unsealed roads to access the proposed site.
PROPOSED HIGHWAY AUGUSTA ROUTE C – WOKURNA SOLAR FARM ROAD WEST
ROUTE A – WOKURNA ROAD
EAST
ROUTE B – BARUNGA TOP ROAD
B-DOUBLE ROAD TRAIN N
Figure 41 Route options to proposed solar farm
6.2 IMPACT ON TRAFFIC Based on traffic volumes provided by Tilt Renewables, traffic generated by the solar farm will have a negligible impact on traffic volumes on DPTI operated roads (Augusta Highway, Barunga Gap Road
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and Upper Yorke Rod), with the maximum increase in AADT equivalent to 8% (Barunga Gap Road during construction).
During the construction period, Barunga Top Road would be most affected by the increase in traffic volumes due to the solar farm construction, resulting in a 142% increase in AADT and a 5% increase in the percentage of heavy vehicles, followed by Wokurna Road East and then Wokurna Road West. Although the traffic volumes and percentage of heavy vehicles will increase on these roads if solar farm traffic was to utilise them during construction, the total additional vehicles to utilise the roads is in the order of 25 light vehicles and 4 heavy vehicles per day for eight months and is unlikely to cause additional damage to the road or inconvenience to local residents. Based on the historical traffic counts, the traffic volume generated is considerably less than that generated by the wind farm construction period. The increase on all roads during the operational period is considered negligible due to the small volume of traffic generated.
6.3 PREFERRED ROUTE Each route was assessed for suitability as the preferred route for haulage, with the following items assessed:
• Road Geometry • Pavement Condition • Stormwater Drainage • Junctions Based on the assessments of each of the proposed routes, Route A (Wokurna Road East) is considered to be the most suitable for access to the proposed solar farm. It results in the shortest travel time and distance, connects to a gazetted road train route and impact the least amount of properties. It also already has infrastructure in place that supports the use of heavy vehicles on the road, such as sealed sections adjacent property access points, good signage and drainage infrastructure.
It is recommended that the following issues are addressed prior to its adoption as the primary haulage routes:
• Vegetation treatment and pavement remedial works, including consideration of shoulder treatment at the intersection with Augusta Highway • Pavement remedial works, including grading and localised rehabilitation works along the length of Wokurna Road East. These works should be particularly focussed toward the western end where the gradient increases. • Trimming of overhanging vegetation on Wokurna Road East to facilitate heavy vehicle movements • Consultation with local residents to reduce impact of the construction period on the community • Signage and advanced notice of haulage operations to advise motorists of increase in heavy vehicles In addition to the items above, it is recommended that the following items are considered when constructing the proposed solar farm access point on Wokurna Road:
• Pavement remediation/sealing to mitigate the damage to pavement from scewing tyres of heavy vehicles • Avoidance of existing infrastructure in the vicinity of the gate, including underground communications cables
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7 REFERENCES
• Austroads, 2009. Guide to Road Design, Part 3: Geometric Design • Austroads, 2009. Guide to Road Design, Part 4A: Unsignalised and Signalised Intersections • ARRB Group, 2009. Unsealed Roads Manual, Guidelines to Good Practice 3rd Edition • DPTI, 2105. Operational Instruction 4.10: Maximum 80 km/h Advisory Sign on Unsealed Roads • Standards Australia, 2009. Australian Standard 1742 Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Part 2: Traffic Control Devices for General Use
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APPENDIX A TRAFFIC VOLUMES
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NO. OF AVE. DAY VEHICLE PER % HEAVY ROAD NAME FROM TO S S DAY VEHICLES BARUNGA TOP ROAD 3 x 2 week surveys - unknown locations 2003 2003 35 811 23 7.00% 200m north of Wokurna Rd 6/07/2006 25/06/2006 19 291 15 16.80% 200m south of Wokurna Rd 6/07/2006 25/06/2006 19 309 16 6.40% 200m north of School Corner Rd 12/02/2009 26/02/2009 14 594 42 23.20% 200m north Wokurna Rd 12/02/2009 26/02/2009 14 263 19 11.40% 200m south of Wokurna Rd 24/09/2009 8/10/2009 14 253 18 7.10% 200m north of Ireland Rd 24/03/2011 7/04/2011 14 256 18 52.30% between Wokurna Rd to Ireland Rd 10/05/2013 31/05/2013 14 1605 115 14.80% 200m north of Hope Gap Rd 18/10/2013 1/11/2013 14 468 33 19.60% WOKURNA ROAD unknown location 20/03/2004 31/03/2004 11 879 80 13.10% 200m west of Augusta Highway 31/07/2006 14/08/2006 14 818 58 8.90% 200m west of Augusta Highway 20/11/2006 4/12/2006 14 1014 72 26.60% between O'Donnells house & Highway 6/11/2007 13/11/2007 7 1415 202 50.10% between Sub Station & Barunga Top Rd 6/11/2007 13/11/2007 7 857 122 22.70% 200m west of Augusta Highway 12/02/2009 26/02/2009 14 2239 160 13.20% 200m east of Barunga Top Rd 24/09/2009 8/10/2009 14 628 45 43.90% WOKURNA ROAD 200m west of Barunga Top Rd 24/03/2011 7/04/2011 14 260 19 13.10% 200m east of Barunga Top Rd 10/05/2013 24/05/2013 14 310 22 25.20% 200m west of Barunga Top Rd 10/05/2013 24/05/2013 14 1271 91 12.20% Legend NA Wokurna Road East Barunga Top Road Wokurna Road West
50 WGA Snowtown North Energy Solar Farm Job No. ADL170617 / 0
51 WGA Snowtown North Energy Solar Farm Job No. ADL170617 / 0
Jason Zafry ASSOCIATE Telephone: 08 8223 7433 Email: [email protected]
ADELAIDE 60 Wyatt St Adelaide SA 5000 Telephone: 08 8223 7433 Facsimile: 08 8232 0967 MELBOURNE Level 2, 31 Market St South Melbourne VIC 3205 Telephone: 03 9696 9522 PERTH 634 Murray St West Perth WA 6005 Telephone: 08 9336 6528 DARWIN Suite 7/9 Keith Ln Fannie Bay NT 0820 Telephone: 08 8941 1678 Facsimile: 08 8941 5060 WHYALLA 1/15 Darling Tce Whyalla SA 5600 Phone: 08 8644 0432 WALLBRIDGE GILBERT AZTEC www.wga.com.au [email protected]
SNOWTOWN NORTH SOLAR FARM- PLANNING REPORT
APPENDIX C Flora and Fauna Assessment
23 November 2017 Report No. 1671306-006-R-Rev4
Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
19 SEPTEMBER 2017
FINAL
Prepared by EBS Ecology for Golder Associates
Document Control
Revision No. Date issued Authors Reviewed by Date Reviewed Revision type 1 22/05/2017 J. Bignall, E. Eichler E. Eichler 22/05/17 Draft 2 23/05/2017 J. Bignall, E. Eichler G. Oerman 23/05/2017 Draft 3 19/09/2017 E. Eichler A. Derry 19/09/2017 Final
Distribution of Copies
Revision No. Date issued Media Issued to 1 23/05/2017 Electronic Lissa Van Camp, Golder Associates 2 23/05/2017 Electronic Lissa Van Camp, Golder Associates 3 19/09/2017 Electronic Lissa Van Camp, Golder Associates
EBS Ecology Project Number: E60816
COPYRIGHT: Use or copying of this document in whole or in part (including photographs) without the written permission of EBS Ecology’s client and EBS Ecology constitutes an infringement of copyright.
LIMITATION: This report has been prepared on behalf of and for the exclusive use of EBS Ecology’s client, and is subject to and issued in connection with the provisions of the agreement between EBS Ecology and its client. EBS Ecology accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for or in respect of any use of or reliance upon this report by any third party.
CITATION: EBS Ecology (2017) Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment. Report to Golder Associates. EBS Ecology, Adelaide.
Cover photograph: View west across proposed solar farm at the Davidson site.
EBS Ecology 3/119 Hayward Avenue Torrensville, South Australia 5031 t: 08 7127 5607 http://www.ebsecology.com.au email: [email protected]
Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
GLOSSARY AND ABBREVIATION OF TERMS
ALA Atlas of Living Australia
BDBSA Biological Databases of South Australia
DEWNR Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources
DOEE Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy
EBS EBS Ecology
EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
NPW Act National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972
NRM Natural Resources Management
NV Act Native Vegetation Act 1991
NVC Native Vegetation Council
Project area used to describe all project sites; Davidson, Jamison and transmission route
SEB Significant Environmental Benefit (under the Native Vegetation Act 1991) ssp. subspecies spp. species (plural)
WONS Weeds of National Significance
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report presents the findings of a flora and fauna assessment for the proposed Snowtown Solar Farm. The project area included the following sites: Jamison, Davidson and transmission route. The assessment was undertaken to determine the environmental constraints that may be associated with the project area.
The Snowtown Solar Farm project area is highly modified. Most of the project area was cropped and/or contained little to no native vegetation. The native vegetation present was limited to the old railway line, roadsides, wind breaks and the cemetery. Three associations containing native vegetation were described:
Eucalyptus porosa (Mallee Box) / Acacia pycnantha (Golden Wattle) Woodland +/- native shrubland +/- mixed grassland
Native grassland Exotic grassland +/- scattered native species.
The vegetation condition ranged from very poor to moderate.
From an ecological perspective, the areas of highest value within the assessed project area were:
E. porosa Woodland adjacent the Snowtown-Wallaroo railway line, in paddock wind breaks, within the cemetery and along Landslide Road (Davidson and transmission route sites).
Native grassland patches of better quality (higher condition ratio) along the Snowtown-Wallaroo railway line (Davidson site) and roadsides (Davidson site).
Most impact associated with the solar farm development will occur on cropped land. Limited impact is anticipated within areas containing native vegetation, mainly associated with site access. Impact at the Jamison site is considered negligible, being located mainly in cropping land comprising a small area of grassland in very poor condition (1:1). The transmission route could impact on areas of woodland and native grassland. However, minimum disturbance construction should ensure the impact is restricted to pole locations. Where possible, site access and transmission route options should be chosen in areas of no or low value native vegetation such as adjacent cropping land.
No nationally threatened ecological communities or threatened species listed under the EPBC Act 1999 were recorded during the field survey. Native grasslands and woodlands in this region are considered potential habitat for the nationally threatened Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis) and Flinders Worm Lizard (Aprasia pseudopulchella) based on species’ known distribution and habitat requirements. However, in the projects current form, the majority of infrastructure is planned in cropping areas, or degraded road sides so it is expected that impact on these species would be low or negligible. The Plains-wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus), classed as nationally critically endangered, has been recorded in the region previously, although is considered to be functionally extinct in the region, and therefore, highly unlikely to be present within the native grassland areas within the project area.
Although no state rated flora or fauna species were recorded, it is likely that some state and regionally rated woodland and grassland bird species would utilise suitable habitats within the project area, particularly as some older trees contained small and medium hollows. However, the project does not
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment require any removal of trees in its current form as there as there is abundant cropping or grassland in adjacent areas where infrastructure could be installed. Hence the impact of the project on native fauna is considered to be low.
Six declared weed species were recorded across all sites, including one weed of National Significance (Wons), African Boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum) individuals at the cemetery (but not in other areas. Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were also abundant in this area.
Key measures that should be undertaken to comply with legislative responsibilities and/or minimise potential ecological impacts are as follows (see recommendations for further detail):
Where alternatives are available, avoid areas containing native vegetation and avoid tree clearance
Avoid higher quality vegetation near the old railway line and cemetery.
Position the northern extent of the transmission line in cropped areas or edges, rather than woodlands or native grasslands near the old railway line.
If native vegetation must be cleared, target lower value areas for infrastructure and construction. Seek approval for clearance of native vegetation covered under the Native Vegetation Act 1991 (where relevant).
Undertake works in accordance with a Construction and Environmental Management Plan, based on best practice operational measures.
During infrastructure planning, consider impacts on possible habitat for the EPBC listed Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard or Flinders Worm Lizard (native grasslands and woodlands with litter). Avoid construction in these areas, and should significant impact be expected, discuss the project with the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy (DOEE) to determine if an EPBC referral is required. In its current form, the project is not expected to have a significant impact.
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION ...... 6 1.1 Objectives ...... 6 1.2 Project area ...... 6
2 COMPLIANCE AND LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY ...... 8 2.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 ...... 8 2.2 Native Vegetation Act 1991 ...... 9 2.3 National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 ...... 10 2.4 Natural Resources Management Act 2004...... 11
3 BACKGROUND INFORMATION ...... 12 3.1 Landscape overview ...... 12 3.1.1 IBRA ...... 12 3.1.2 Soil, landform and drainage ...... 13 3.2 Environmental considerations ...... 14 3.3 Previous survey ...... 14 3.4 Administrative boundaries ...... 15
4 METHODS ...... 17 4.1 Desktop assessment ...... 17 4.2 Field survey ...... 17 4.3 Limitations ...... 20 4.3.1 Flora ...... 20 4.3.2 Fauna ...... 20
5 RESULTS ...... 21 5.1 Vegetation associations ...... 21 5.1.1 Vegetation association 1: Native grassland ...... 21 5.1.2 Vegetation association 2: Exotic grassland +/- scattered native species ...... 23 5.1.3 Vegetation association 3: Cropping ...... 23 5.1.4 Vegetation association 4: Eucalyptus porosa (Mallee Box) / Acacia pycnantha (Golden Wattle) Woodland +/- native shrubland +/- mixed grassland ...... 24 5.2 Threatened ecological communities ...... 30 5.3 Habitat ...... 30 5.4 Flora ...... 31 5.5 Fauna ...... 32 5.5.1 Flinders Worm Lizard (Aprasia pseudopulchella) – nationally vulnerable ...... 33 5.5.2 Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis) - nationally endangered ...... 33 5.5.3 Fork-tailed Swift (Apus pacificus) – migratory ...... 34 5.5.4 Plains-wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus) – nationally critically endangered ...... 34
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
5.5.5 Jacky Winter (Microeca fascinans fascinans) – rare in SA ...... 34 5.6 Declared plants ...... 34
6 DISCUSSION ...... 40 6.1 Potential impacts of development ...... 41
7 RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 43
8 REFERENCES ...... 46
9 APPENDICES ...... 48
Appendix 1. National, state and regional threatened flora recorded within 10 km of the project area...... 48 Appendix 2. Flora species observed within the project area during the field survey...... 50
List of Tables Table 1. IBRA bioregion, subregion, and environmental association environmental landscape summary...... 12 Table 2. Assessment criteria for the condition of vegetation communities...... 18 Table 3. Overall summary of vegetation associations...... 21 Table 4. Threatened flora and threatened and migratory fauna species potentially occurring within the project area...... 36
List of Figures Figure 1. Association 1: Native grassland Jamison (edge of crop) ...... 22 Figure 2. Association 1: native grassland with Themeda triandra Transmission Line (roadside) ...... 22 Figure 3. Association 2: Exotic grassland +/- scattered native species Jamison north east boundary ...... 23 Figure 4. Association 3: Cropping...... 24 Figure 5. Association 4 near cemetery along landslide road (SEB condition 6:1)...... 25 Figure 6. Association 4 (SEB condition 4:1)...... 25
List of Maps Map 1. Location map...... 7 Map 2. Davidson North vegetation associations and condition...... 26 Map 3. Davidson South vegetation associations and condition...... 27 Map 4. Jamison vegetation association and condition...... 28 Map 5. Transmission route vegetation association and condition...... 29 Map 6. BDBSA flora records within the vicinity of the project area ...... 38 Map 7. BDBSA fauna records within the vicinity of the project area ...... 39
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment 1 INTRODUCTION
EBS Ecology conducted a flora and fauna assessment for a proposed solar farm and associated infrastructure across two sites near Snowtown, South Australia. 1.1 Objectives
The key objectives of the assessment were to:
Describe the type, extent and condition of the vegetation present at the site Identify flora and fauna species of conservation significance present or likely to occur in the area Identify areas of habitat value Identify potential impacts to vegetation, flora and fauna associated with the proposed development
Identify matters of national, state or local environmental significance likely to be impacted upon Include information suitable for inclusion in a native vegetation clearance application (under the Native Vegetation Act 1991) if required and a referral under the EPBC Act 1999 if required
Provide recommendations on flora and fauna management issues and possible management strategies to avoid, minimise and mitigate potential impacts associated with the project.
1.2 Project area
The proposed Snowtown Solar Farm is located between Bute and Snowtown, at the boundary of the Mid North and Yorke Peninsula districts. The project area includes the following sites, as shown on Map 1:
Davidson property (north and south)
Jamison property
Transmission route
The Davidson site is approximately 8 km east of Bute, South Australia and is bordered by the Snowtown- Wallaroo railway line to the north, Hill Road to the west, and Landslide Road and Coulthard Lane to the east. The Transmission route is north east of Davidson, near an existing substation on Landslide Road.
The Jamison site is located approximately 12 km north of the Davidson site. The Jamison site is bordered by Hewett Road to the South, Wokurna Road to the east, and the SA Water Bundaleer pipeline to the west.
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
Map 1. Location map.
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment 2 COMPLIANCE AND LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY
2.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) provides a legal framework to protect and manage nationally and internationally important flora, fauna, ecological communities and heritage places – defined in the Act as ‘matters of national environmental significance’. The nine matters of national environmental significance protected under the Act are:
World Heritage properties National Heritage places Wetlands of international importance (listed under the Ramsar Convention)
Listed threatened species and ecological communities Migratory species protected under international agreements Commonwealth marine areas The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Nuclear actions (including uranium mines) A water resource, in relation to coal seam gas development and large coal mining development.
Any action that has, will have, or is likely to have a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance requires referral under the EPBC Act. Substantial penalties apply for undertaking an action that has, will have or is likely to have significant impact on a matter of national environmental significance without approval.
This report is focused on listed threatened species and ecological communities which are recognised as a matter of national environmental significance. Consequently, any action that is likely to have a significant impact on listed threatened species and ecological communities under the EPBC Act must be referred to the Minister and undergo an environmental assessment and approval process.
The EPBC Act Significant Impact Guidelines (Commonwealth of Australia 2013) provide overarching guidance on determining whether an action is likely to have a significant impact on a matter of national environmental significance. In terms of nationally threatened species, the guidelines define an action as likely to have a significant impact if there is a real chance or possibility that it will:
Lead to a long term decrease in the population
Reduce the area of occupancy of the species Fragment an existing population Adversely affect critical habitat Disrupt breeding cycles Modify, destroy, remove, isolate or decrease the availability or quality of habitat to the extent that the species is likely to decline
Result in the establishment of invasive species that are harmful to the species Introduce disease that may cause the species to decline
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
Interfere with the recovery of the species.
2.2 Native Vegetation Act 1991
In South Australia, under the Native Vegetation Act 1991, all clearance of native vegetation requires the approval of the Native Vegetation Council (NVC) unless it is covered by a specific exemption contained within the Native Vegetation Regulations 2003. Building of the solar farm is likely to fall under Native Vegetation Regulation 5(1)(d) Building or provision of infrastructure, including infrastructure in the Public Interest. Regulation 5(1)(d) permits clearance of vegetation for the construction or expansion of a building or infrastructure that the Minister for Environment & Conservation considers to be in the public interest or provision of infrastructure or services to an existing or approved building or site that may not be located in native vegetation. Relevant authorisation must also be obtained as required by the Development Act 1993 and the infrastructure must be located such that it avoids or minimises the impact on significant areas of vegetation or habitat.
A submission to the Native Vegetation Council will need to establish that:
The building or structure cannot be established without the need to clear some vegetation, and The site chosen contains the least significant native vegetation, provided that construction is practicable on that site.
In particular, a proponent should seek to avoid areas containing an intact stratum of native vegetation.
Native vegetation refers to any naturally occurring local plant species that are indigenous to South Australia, from small ground covers and native grasses to large trees and water plants.
“Clearance", in relation to native vegetation, means:
the killing or destruction of native vegetation; the removal of native vegetation; the severing of branches, limbs, stems or trunks of native vegetation; the burning of native vegetation;
any other substantial damage to native vegetation, and includes the draining or flooding of land, or any other act or activity, that causes the killing or destruction of native vegetation, the severing of branches, limbs, stems or trunks of native vegetation or any other substantial damage to native vegetation.
Approval must be obtained before performing any activity that could cause substantial damage to native plants. This also applies to dead trees that may provide habitat for animals. These activities include but are not limited to:
the cutting down, destruction or removal of whole plants the removal of branches, limbs, stems or trunks (including brushcutting and woodcutting) burning poisoning
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
slashing of understorey
drainage and reclamation of wetlands
grazing by animals (in some circumstances). All approved vegetation clearance must also be conditional on achieving a Significant Environmental Benefit (SEB) to offset the clearance. The requirement for a SEB also applies to several of the exemptions. Potential SEB offsets include:
The establishment and management of a set-aside area to encourage the natural regeneration of native vegetation.
The protection and management of an established area of native vegetation Entering into a Heritage Agreement on land where native vegetation is already established to further preserve or enhance the area in perpetuity
A payment to the Native Vegetation Fund (only where the above options are not possible).
A management plan must be prepared that describes the works that will result in the environmental benefit, which may include providing for the management of other native vegetation, the restoration of native vegetation, or the replanting of a cleared area. If this is not achievable on the property, the applicant may apply to the Native Vegetation Council (NVC) to make a payment into the Native Vegetation Fund that will be used by the (NVC) to achieve an environmental benefit elsewhere in the region.
2.3 National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972
Vascular plants and vertebrate animals (e.g. mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians) are protected in South Australia under the threatened species schedules of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972: Schedule 7 (endangered species), Schedule 8 (vulnerable species) and Schedule 9 (rare species). The criteria used to define threatened species in South Australia are generally based on categories and definitions from the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.
The current schedules do not include non-vascular plants, fish, insects, butterflies, spiders, scorpions and other invertebrates, fungi and other life forms which do not have a current legal conservation status in South Australia.
South Australian freshwater and marine fish, some marine invertebrates and crustaceans are protected under the Fisheries Management Act 2007. Some of these species have been identified as threatened and recommended for listing under the National Parks and Wildlife Act but currently do not have a legal conservation status.
Under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, among other things, persons must not:
Take a native plant on a reserve, wilderness protection area, wilderness protection zone, land reserved for public purposes, a forest reserve or any other Crown land
Take a native plant of a prescribed species on private land
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
Take a native plant on private land without the consent of the owner (such plants may also be covered by the Native Vegetation Act 1991)
Take a protected animal or the eggs of a protected animal without approval Keep protected animals unless authorised to do so Use poison to kill a protected animal without approval.
2.4 Natural Resources Management Act 2004
Under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004, landholders have a legal responsibility to manage declared pest plants and animals and prevent land and water degradation.
Key components under the Act include the establishment of regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) Boards and development of regional NRM Plans; the ability to control water use through prescription, allocations and restrictions; requirement to control declared pest plants and animals, and activities that might result in land degradation.
A ‘duty of care’ is a fundamental component of this Act, i.e. ensuring one’s environmental and civil obligation by taking reasonable steps to prevent land and water degradation. Persons can be prosecuted if they are considered negligent in meeting their obligations.
The project area falls within the Northern and Yorke Natural Resources Management Board Region.
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment 3 BACKGROUND INFORMATION
3.1 Landscape overview
The Mid-north region consists predominantly of cleared land utilised for grazing (predominantly sheep) and cereal cropping. In the region, 78% of land use is cropping and pastures (Graham et al. 2001). There are small patches of remnant vegetation remaining across the region. Woodland areas exist mainly in gullies and slopes of the Barunga Range, separated by vast areas of grasslands (native and exotic) which dominate the tops of ridges as well as slopes of the range. The region has a Mediterranean climate with warm to hot summers and mild to cool winters.
3.1.1 IBRA
Interim Biogeographical Regionalisation of Australia (IBRA) is a landscape based approach to classifying land surface across a range of environmental attributes, which is used to assess and plan for the protection of biodiversity. The project area falls within the Eyre Yorke Block (EYB2) IBRA bioregion and St Vincent IBRA sub-region. The Davidson site and transmission route fall within the Wokurna environmental association and the Jamison site falls within the Barung environmental association (DEWNR 2017a) (Table 1).
Native vegetation ‘remnancy’ in the area is low, with approximately 3% vegetation remaining in the Wokurna and 4% remaining in the Barung environmental association. Of this native vegetation, 19% (767 ha) is formally conserved in Wokurna, whilst no vegetation is protected in the Barung Association. Native vegetation patches in the vicinity of the project area are small and fragmented. The largest nearby patch of native vegetation is approximately 2 km south-east of the Davidson area (DEWNR 2017).
Table 1. IBRA bioregion, subregion, and environmental association environmental landscape summary.
Eyre Yorke Block IBRA bioregion
Archaean basement rocks and Proterozoic sandstones overlain by undulating to occasionally hilly calcarenite and calcrete plains and areas of aeolian quartz sands, with mallee woodlands, shrublands and heaths on calcareous earths, duplex soils and calcareous to shallow sands, now largely cleared for agriculture.
St Vincent IBRA subregion
Most of this region consists of with calcrete development and shallow reddish earths. The plain is mainly dune free but isolated areas are overlain by low indistinct sand dunes. Near the Mt Lofty ranges the plains have a definite westerly gradient and merge eastwards with the alluvial fans from the Mt Lofty ranges. Moderately deep red mallee- yorrell (E. socialis, E. gracilis) association occurs throughout the region with some woodland of E. porosa on the plains or E. odorata on the hills and footslopes. The subregion has been extensively cleared and sown to crops or exotic pastures so little of the natural vegetation remains. What does exists on road verges and a few isolated blocks.
Remnant Approximately 8% (87402 ha) of the subregion is mapped as remnant native vegetation, of vegetation which 5% (4732 ha) is formally conserved
Landform Alluvial and littoral plains with NW-SE longitudinal dunes, mainly stabilized, in isolated areas. Near the Mt Lofty Ranges the plains have a detritic westerly gradient and merge eastwards with the alluvial fans of the Ranges
Geology Calcrete development; some variably oriented dunes in north west of unit beyond Port Augusta. Calcareous loams. Clay rich soils, both plastic & cracking varieties
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
Soil Cracking clays, Brown calcareous earths, Highly calcareous loamy earths, Plastic saline clay soils, Hard setting loamy soils with red clayey subsoils
Vegetation Mixed chenopod, samphire or forblands
Conservation 125 species of threatened fauna, 103 species of threatened flora. significance 5 wetlands of national significance.
Wokurna IBRA environmental association
Remnant Approximately 3% (4059 ha) of the association is mapped as remnant native vegetation, of vegetation which 19% (767 ha) is formally conserved
Landform Undulating calcrete plain with dunes, bounded along the coastline by cliffs or mangrove flats.
Geology Calcrete, sand and alluvium.
Soil Brown calcareous loams, brown calcareous sands and black non-cracking plastic clays.
Vegetation Open scrub of beaked red mallee, yorrell and coastal white mallee and chenopod shrubland of samphire.
Conservation 17 species of threatened fauna, 11 species of threatened flora. significance 1 wetlands of national significance.
Barung IBRA environmental association
Remnant Approximately 4% (3196 ha) of the association is mapped as remnant native vegetation, of vegetation which 0% (1 ha) is formally conserved
Landform Strike ridges on quartzite and gravelly footslopes.
Geology Sandstone, quartzite and colluvium.
Soil Red friable loams and hard pedal red duplex soils.
Vegetation Low open forest of mallee box and peppermint box.
Conservation 18 species of threatened fauna, 15 species of threatened flora. significance 0 wetlands of national significance.
3.1.2 Soil, landform and drainage
The Davidson and transmission route sites fall within the Wiltunga Land System and the Jamison site falls within the Sharp Well Land System. The area is broadly described as plains and rises with mainly loamy calcareous soil. The project area is generally on slightly sloped land. The Davidson site lies between 160 to 220 m ASL and the Jamison site between 180 and 220 m ASL. There is a range of rolling hills and series of watercourses to the east of the site (DEWNR 2017a).
The closest soil characterisation site (CM048) is approximately 2 km east of the Davidson site, where the soil is described as dark brown clay loam to clay overlying a dark reddish brown well-structured clay becoming highly calcareous with depth and grading to weathered quartzitic basement rock. The landform is described as slopes of undulating to rolling low hills. The soil characterisation site approximately 4 km south of the Jamison site (CM001) describes the soil as calcareous sandy loam becoming more clayey and calcareous at depth, with variable rubble (DEWNR 2017a).
Water erosion potential is classed as low, gully erosion classed as negligible and wind erosion potential low to moderately high (DEWNR 2017a).
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
The project area falls within the Gawler Craton Groundwater Basin. The sites fall outside of a surface water catchment. Small drainage lines are mapped within the Jamison site on the edge of the eastern range, which is part of the Broughton River catchment (DEWNR 2017a).
3.2 Environmental considerations
A search of the Department for Environment Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) online mapping tool revealed the following relevant results for the survey area:
The project area falls within the Narungga Local Government Indigenous Land Use Area (ILUA). This ILUA applies to most of Yorke Peninsula.
A Native Title claim is registered by Narungga Nation.
There are no NPWSA reserves (NPW Act) within or near the project area. There are no Heritage Agreements (NV Act) within or near the project area. There are no national or state heritage places within or near the project area. There are no significant environmental benefit (SEB) offset areas (NV Act) in or in proximity to the project area.
There is an existing native vegetation clearance application for various linear land clearances on the eastern side of Barunga Gap linking the Davidson and Jamison sites, which are associated with the Snowtown Wind Farm (application number 2011_3008).
There is a roadside significant native vegetation site designated by roadside markers west of the Davidson project area along Barunga Gap (Bute-Snowtown) Road, commencing from 5.61 km north east of the Aeroplane Road (Mundoora - 32km) intersection and extending north east for 1.20 km on the left (north) side of the road.
There are no railside significant sites in or nearby project area.
3.3 Previous survey
No previous DEWNR flora or fauna survey has been undertaken within the project area. Limited flora and fauna survey was undertaken in the general district in 2004 as part of the Mid North and Yorke Biological Survey (Neagle 2008). The nearest DEWNR flora site location is at the eastern boundary of the proposed transmission route (DENWR flora site 11803). There is another DEWNR flora site along Barunga Gap Road approximately 1.5 km west of the Davidson site. The nearest DEWNR flora site to the Jamison site is approximately 3.5 km north-west (DEWNR flora site 10841) (DEWNR 2017a).
The nearest DEWNR fauna site location is at Diamond Lakes approximately 16 km south-east of the site (fauna site numbers 20079, 20080, 20081). There are also a number of Bushland Condition Monitoring sites at the Diamond Lakes location (DEWNR 2017a).
EBS has undertaken previous surveys in the Snowtown area associated with wind farm and other development projects.
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
Roadside vegetation mapping has previously been undertaken along the railway line on the northern boundary of the Davidson site and along the transmission route (Snowtown to Wallaroo Railway Corridor Survey, Mid North and Western Murray Flats Transport SA survey number 54, 7/12/2002). The railway line bordering the Davidson site was generally classified as having very little or no native vegetation present. The Broad Vegetation Structural Formation was Grassland, dominated by exotic herbs with a condition rating of poor to very poor. The dominant understorey species were the exotic *Avena barbata (Bearded Oat) and *Bromus diandrus (Great Brome). Emergent native species were Senna artemisioides ssp. X coriacea (Desert Senna), Eucalyptus porosa (Mallee Box) and Eremophila longifolia (Weeping Emubush). There is a long narrow section along the railway line north of the Davidson north site described as Eucalyptus gracilis +/-Eucalyptus socialis ssp. +/-Melaleuca lanceolata mid mallee woodland over Enchylaena tomentosa var. tomentosa, Rhagodia parabolica and Maireana brevifolia (DEWNR 2017a).
The section of railway line along the transmission route is classified as Grassland and Eucalyptus porosa (Mallee Box) Mallee. Dominant/codominant understorey species included Austrostipa sp., Dianella revoluta var. revoluta and Pittosporum angustifolium (DEWNR 2017a).
Roadside mapping has been undertaken along Landslide Road on the eastern boundary of the Davidson site (Wakefield Regional Council Survey 62, 2004). The roadside is described as a mixed grassland containing limited native vegetation in poor condition. Dominant species were *Avena barbata (Bearded Oat) and Austrostipa nodosa (Tall Spear-grass). Emergent native species included Eucalyptus socialis and Eucalyptus porosa, Acacia pycnantha and Lomandra sp.
Roadside vegetation survey has been undertaken along Barunga Gap Road, not including the section of road bordering the project area (Mid North Region Roads TSA survey, survey number 68, Bute- Snowtown Road, 1/6/2005). The section of the road west of the project area was surveyed and described as Callitris gracilis (Southern Cypress Pine) Very Low Open Woodland. The understorey consisted of exotic grasses with a condition rating of very poor. Dominant understorey species included Acacia pycnantha (Golden Wattle), *Avena sp. (Oat), *Piptatherum miliaceum (Rice Millet), *Scabiosa atropurpurea (Pincushion) and *Phalaris sp. (Phalaris). Along Barunga Gap Road to the north of the Davidson project area the vegetation is described as Eucalyptus porosa +/- Eucalyptus odorata low woodland over Acacia sp., Senna artemisioides ssp. shrubs over Rhagodia parabolica, Austrostipa sp. and *Avena barbata.
Although the E. porosa Mallee/Woodland along the roadsides is fragmented and considered of poor condition, the conservation significance of the vegetation was rated as high, given the lack of representation of this community across the landscape (DEWNR 2017a).
The results of these surveys have been considered in the preparation of this report.
3.4 Administrative boundaries
The project area is located within the Wakefield Regional Council. The development plan zone category is Primary Production – Mining for the Jamison site and initial project area, and Primary Production for
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment the Davidson site and transmission route. The Davidson site falls within the Hundred of Cameron and the Jamison site within the Hundred of Barunga.
The project area falls within the Lower and Mid North Natural Resources Management (NRM) District, within the Northern and Yorke NRM Region.
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment 4 METHODS
4.1 Desktop assessment
A desktop assessment was undertaken to identify the degree of ecological sensitivity that may be associated with the project. The desktop assessment included:
Database searches (EPBC Protected Matters, Biological Databases of South Australia, Atlas of Living Australia) for the project area;
Review of existing biological surveys undertaken in the area; Review of previous EBS survey results and vegetation mapping for the Snowtown area; Review of existing mapping data (vegetation communities, vegetation condition and aerial photographs);
Review of existing information on flora and fauna species likely to occur in the area, and Research into threatened species that may occur in the area.
The likelihood of the occurrence of threatened species was assessed based on the species’ habitat requirements, proximity to known records, date of last sightings and availability of potential habitat within the project area. A specific BDBSA search was not done for the Jamison site, but a 5km Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) search was undertaken. This site comprises cropping and very narrow degraded areas of roadside grassland that should not be impacted therefore a separate BDBSA search was not undertaken.
4.2 Field survey
A field survey was undertaken on 26 April 2017 to ground truth and confirm the outcomes and findings of the desktop assessment, and address any identified gaps in the information. Key elements of the field assessment included:
Collecting vegetation data as per the requirements under the Native Vegetation Act 1991. This included recording vegetation associations and scattered trees, flora species present, vegetation condition (as per Table 2), locations of threatened flora species (if present), determining the location of areas which should be avoided and identifying areas of weed infestations;
Identifying flora species of national, state or local conservation significance known or likely to occur in the area and detailing possible impacts.
Undertaking a fauna assessment to determine if any native fauna of national, state or local conservation significance/or significant fauna habitat may be impacted by the proposed works.
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
Table 2. Assessment criteria for the condition of vegetation communities. % SEB Overstorey condition Understorey condition Condition indigenous Indicators NVC Interim Policy (1.2.11) ratio description description cover Very Poor 0:1 <10% No overstorey stratum remaining. Complete destruction of Vegetation structure no longer Where proposed clearance is indigenous understorey* (by intact (e.g. removal of one or considered to be minor and of grazing &/or introduced plants). more vegetation strata). Scope limited biodiversity impact, e.g. for regeneration, but not to a lopping of overhanging limbs state approaching good only or minor clearance of condition without intensive shrubs in areas otherwise management. Dominated by considered as highly very aggressive weeds. Partial disturbed. 1:1 10-19% Scattered trees in poor health Almost complete destruction of or extensive clearing (> 50% Where proposed clearance is of area). Evidence of heavy and/or representing an immature indigenous understorey* (by in areas dominated by stand. grazing &/or introduced plants) - grazing (tracks, browse lines, introduced species, the area of reduced to scattered clumps and species changes, complete native vegetation is largely 2:1 20-29% Scattered trees either immature in depletion of soil surface crust). individual plants. good health or mature in reduced to scattered trees, poor/moderate health. indigenous understorey reduced to scattered clumps Alternatively, the dominant and individual plants. overstorey stratum is largely intact and is an immature stand (or regrowth), and is generally in poor health. Poor 3:1 30-39% Dominant overstorey stratum is Heavy loss of native plant Vegetation structure Where the proposed clearance largely intact and is a moderately species (by grazing &/or substantially altered (e.g. one is of mostly intact overstorey healthy mature stand. introduced plants). The or more vegetation strata vegetation but there is still understorey* consists depleted). Retains basic considerable weed infestation predominately of alien species, vegetation structure or the amongst the understorey flora. 4:1 40-49% Dominant overstorey stratum is although a small number of ability to regenerate it. Very largely intact and is a healthy natives persist. obvious signs of long-term or mature stand with high wildlife severe disturbance. Weed habitat value (e.g. hollows). dominated with some very aggressive weeds. Partial clearing (10 – 50% of area). Evidence of moderate grazing (tracks, browse lines, soil surface crust extensively broken). Moderate 5:1 50-59% Dominant overstorey stratum is Moderate loss of native Vegetation structure altered Where the proposed clearance largely intact – any condition+ understorey diversity. Weed-free (e.g. one or more vegetation is of mostly intact overstorey areas small. Substantial invasion strata depleted). Most seed vegetation with moderate but of aliens resulting in significant sources available to not severe weed infestation competition, but native regenerate original structure. amongst the understorey flora.
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% SEB Overstorey condition Understorey condition Condition indigenous Indicators NVC Interim Policy (1.2.11) ratio description description cover understorey* persists; for Obvious signs of disturbance Clearance is not seriously at example, may be a low (e.g. tracks, bare ground). variance with the Principles. proportion of native species and Minor clearing (<10% of area). a high native cover, or a high Considerable weed infestation proportion of native species and with some aggressive weeds. low native cover. Evidence of some grazing 6:1 60-69% Dominant overstorey stratum is Moderate but not severe weed (tracks, soil surface crust patchy). largely intact – any condition+ infestation amongst the understorey flora. Good 7:1 70-79% Original overstorey stratum is still Understorey only slightly Vegetation structure intact Where the proposed clearance dominant and intact – any modified. High proportion of (e.g. all strata intact). is of mostly intact overstorey condition+ native species and native cover Disturbance minor, only and understorey vegetation, in the understorey*; reasonable affecting individual species. weed infestation is moderate representation of probable pre- Only non-aggressive weeds to low, but the original European vegetation. present. Some litter build-up. vegetation is still dominant. 8:1 80-89% Original overstorey stratum is still Understorey only slightly Clearance is assessed by the dominant and intact – any modified. High proportion of NVC to be at variance with the Principles. condition+ native species and native cover in the understorey*; reasonable representation of probable pre- European vegetation. Excellent 9:1 > 89% Original vegetation is still dominant Diverse vegetation with very little All strata intact and botanical Where the proposed clearance and intact. Overstorey individuals weed infestation.Understorey composition close to original. is of diverse vegetation with in good condition and represent a largely undisturbed, minimal loss Little or no signs of very little weed infestation. mature stand. of plant species diversity. Very disturbance. Little or no weed Clearance is assessed by the infestation. 10:1 Original vegetation is still dominant little or no sign of alien NVC to be seriously at vegetation in the understorey*; variance with the Principles. and intact. Overstorey individuals Soil surface crust intact. resembles probable pre- in good condition and represent a Substantial litter cover. European condition. mature stand, with high habitat value (e.g. hollows). * Or all strata if the upper and lower strata are difficult to distinguish. + Ratio assessment will largely depend upon condition of understorey associated with an intact overstorey stratum. Adapted from Guide to Roadside Vegetation Survey Methodology for South Australia (Stokes et al. 1998) and Guidelines for a Native Vegetation Significant Environmental Benefit Policy (DWLBC 2005).
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment 4.3 Limitations
The findings and conclusions expressed by EBS Ecology are based solely upon information in existence at the time of the assessment. Field data collected during the survey, combined with desktop research, is considered to provide an adequately detailed assessment of the flora and fauna that occur and are likely to occur within the project area.
Existing flora and fauna records were sourced from the Biological Database of South Australia (BDBSA) and Atlas of Living Australia (ALA). The BDBSA only includes verified flora and fauna records submitted to DEWNR or partner organisations. Although much of the BDBSA data has been through a variety of validation processes, the lists may contain errors and should be used with caution. DEWNR give no warranty that the data is accurate or fit for any particular purpose of the user or any person to whom the user discloses the information. It is recognised that knowledge is poorly captured in the BDBSA. Consequently there is uncertainty in relation to the status of species, and additional species may occur that are not reflected by database records. The spatial precision of the BDBSA data varies hence the location of mapped BDBSA records may not reflect their true location.
The BDBSA data extract did not cover the degraded Jamison site. Given this site was mainly cropped, it was deemed unlikely that threatened flora species would be present.
4.3.1 Flora
All visible native species were recorded during the autumn survey. At this time, annual herbaceous species, native orchids and some native grasses (if present) may have gone undetected e.g. if they were dormant, inconspicuous or lacked distinguishable features. This limitation, whilst recognised, can be said for any chosen survey period. The species recorded provides the best possible representation of species composition of each vegetation community at the time of the survey.
4.3.2 Fauna
Fauna survey was limited to opportune observations (sighted or heard, tracks and traces). A general assessment was conducted of the fauna habitat and potential fauna utilisation of the project area.
The information obtained from this survey and database records represent limited fauna survey effort over small snapshots in time. Additional species would be present, many of which would only be detected through targeted survey.
The assessment of likelihood of occurrence of threatened fauna species is considered adequately detailed to evaluate the potential impact of the project on the most at risk fauna species. Further, potential habitats of significant fauna species are discussed.
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment 5 RESULTS
5.1 Surveyed vegetation associations
Four broad vegetation associations were described for the survey area (Table 3) with descriptions provided in detail below. The total area and condition of each vegetation association is summarised in Table 3. The client requested that a wide buffer (up to 50 m) be surveyed. However, most areas where native vegetation is highlighted will not be impacted.
Most of the solar infrastructure area was under crop with little native vegetation. Native vegetation generally comprised linear patches and the majority was located near the transmission line route, particularly near the old railway corridor, the cemetery and on roadsides. The mallee vegetation along the rail line within the transmission route was in moderate condition with an intact overstorey and a decent diversity of native species in the understorey.
A total of 60 flora species were recorded, including 20 exotic flora species (see Appendix 2).
Table 3. Overall summary of vegetation associations. Condition Vegetation association Total Area Ratio range
Association 1: Native grassland 11.34 ha 0:1-4:1 Association 2: Exotic grassland +/- scattered native 2.54 ha 0:1 species Association 3: Cropping 325.63 ha 0:1 Association 4. Eucalyptus porosa (Mallee Box) / Acacia pycnantha (Golden Wattle) woodland +/- 5.52 ha 3:1 to 6:1 native shrubland +/- mixed grassland
5.1.1 Vegetation association 1: Native grassland
Vegetation association 1 was recorded along the roadsides/fencelines at all sites, and along the rail line associated with the Davidson north and transmission route sites (see Maps 2, 3, 4 and 5).
Vegetation association 1 generally comprised open grassland dominated by Enneapogon nigricans (Black-head Grass)/Austrostipa sp. (Spear-grass). At the Jamison site E. nigricans was plentiful but the association was generally highly degraded and weed dominated with an offset rating of 1:1 (Figure 1).
At the Davidson site grassland was in better condition and included patches of Themeda triandra (Kangaroo Grass) +/- Rytidosperma sp. (Wallaby-grass), Lomandra effusa (Scented Mat-rush), Dianella revoluta var., Solanum esuriale (Quena) with sparse emergent Eucalyptus porosa (Mallee Box). There were occasional patches of planted Eucalyptus leucoxylon (South Australian Blue Gum) and Eucalyptus cladocalyx (Sugar Gum). Planted trees are not protected by the Native Vegetation Act, but should be retained wherever possible. Grasslands in the north of the transmission line were highest quality with condition ratings of 4:1 in patches, whilst roadside grasslands generally ranged between 1:1 and 3:1.
Common weeds included *Malva sp. (Malva), *Heliotropium europaeum (Common Heliotrope), *Citrullus colocynthis (Colocynth) and *Marrubium vulgare (Horehound) (Figure 2).
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Figure 1. Association 1: Native grassland Jamison (edge of crop)
Figure 2. Association 1: native grassland with Themeda triandra Transmission Line (roadside)
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment 5.1.2 Vegetation association 2: Exotic grassland +/- scattered native species
Association 2 was dominated by exotic grasses and herbs, the most common species being *Cynodon dactylon (Couch) *Piptatherum miliaceum (Rice Millet), *Sonchus oleraceus (Common Sow-thistle) and *Heliotropium europaeum (Common Heliotrope). Native species Salsola australis (Buckbush) and Vittadinia gracilis (Woolly New Holland Daisy) were sparsely scattered within this association (Figure 3). See Maps 4 and 5.
Figure 3. Association 2: Exotic grassland +/- scattered native species Jamison north east boundary
5.1.3 Vegetation association 3: Cropping
Vegetation association 3 was cropped (no native vegetation present). The majority of the proposed solar farm infrastructure at the Davidson and Jamison sites will be located over the cropping land (Figure 4).
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
Figure 4. Association 3: Cropping.
5.1.4 Vegetation association 4: Eucalyptus porosa (Mallee Box) / Acacia pycnantha (Golden Wattle) Woodland +/- native shrubland +/- mixed grassland
Vegetation association 4 comprised the highest flora species diversity. The dominant overstorey was remnant Eucalyptus porosa (Mallee Box) with a midstorey of Acacia pycnantha (Golden Wattle) and Senna spp (Senna’s). Linear strips of this association were present within the transmission route (along the old railway line, fenceline, Landslide Road and Cemetery). This association was interspersed with native grassland (Map 5). A small patch of this association was present on Landslide Road bordering the Davidson north site (Map 2), although this area lacked understorey and was in poor condtion
In areas of moderate condition (SEB condition 5:1 to 6:1) within the transmission route site and near the cemetery, the dominant mid/understorey included Senna artemisioides ssp. X coriacea (Broad-leaf Desert Senna), Senna artemisioides ssp. X artemisioides (Silver Senna), Enchylaena tomentosa var. (Ruby Saltbush), Austrostipa sp. (Spear-grass), Rytidosperma sp. (Wallaby-grass), Lomandra effusa (Scented Mat-rush), Lomandra multiflora ssp. dura (Hard Mat-rush), Dianella revoluta var. and Enneapogon nigricans (Black-head Grass) (Figure 5, Map 5). Weeds were sparsely present in these areas, namely *Marrubium vulgare (Horehound) and *Asparagus asparagoides (Bridal Creeper). There was evidence of grazing by rabbits.
In areas of SEB condition 4:1, the understorey had more abundant weed cover, including *Citrullus colocynthis (Colocynth), *Heliotropium europaeum (Common Heliotrope) and *Avena barbata (Bearded Oat). The native Solanum esuriale (Quena) was also present (Figure 6, Map 5).
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
Figure 5. Association 4 near cemetery along landslide road (SEB condition 6:1).
Figure 6. Association 4 (SEB condition 4:1).
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Map 2. Davidson North vegetation associations and condition.
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Map 3. Davidson South vegetation associations and condition.
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Map 4. Jamison vegetation association and condition.
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Map 5. Transmission route vegetation association and condition.
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment 5.2 Threatened ecological communities
The EPBC Protected Matters Report identified two nationally threatened ecological communities as potentially occurring within the project area:
Iron-grass Natural Temperate Grassland of South Australia – critically endangered Peppermint Box (Eucalyptus odorata) Grassy Woodland of South Australia - critically endangered (DOEE 2017).
The field survey confirmed that neither nationally threatened ecological community was present within the survey area.
Although Iron-grasses (Lomandra spp.) were present within some native grassland areas, and Eucalyptus odorata was recorded in woodland areas, they were not a dominant feature of these associations and hence such areas did not meet the description or condition class requirements to be considered part of the nationally threatened ecological communities.
DEWNR considers native grasslands of the mid north region as a threatened habitat area. There are large mapped patches of native grasslands mapped approximately 15 to 20 km east of the site (DEWNR 2017a).
Three native grassland communities are listed as being threatened within South Australia (Neagle 1995). Although the grassland community observed within the project area differs from state threatened communities, there is some similarity in species composition and hence they are thought to be quite significant. Additionally, the association found on site may have originally been classed as one of the threatened grassland communities; however the species composition may have changed over time due to grazing and cultivation pressure.
Neagle (1995) lists Eucalyptus porosa Woodland as poorly conserved (Priority 5 conservation priority) Graham et al. (2001) listed a number of vegetation associations similar to this one as being threatened woodland plant communities in the Northern Agricultural Districts. 5.3 Habitat
The site was mostly degraded; however it contains pockets of reasonable habitat within a heavily cleared agricultural and pastoral landscape. Considering the extent of fauna habitat in the region is relatively poor for many native species (Graham et al 2001), these small pockets of habitat may be of increased importance to the species that still reside in the area. However, the majority of the impact footprint does not occur in these areas or will be restricted to Transmission Route Poles. The Jamison site is not considered to contain any valuable habitat.
The remnant E. porosa woodland areas generally offered the most habitat value for native fauna across the proposed site. A number of woodland bird species, including species of state and regional significance, would utilise these areas (for nesting, foraging and roosting). Occasional older trees had small and medium hollows providing potential nesting habitat for birds and bats. Euro (Macropus robustus) and Western Grey Kangaroo (M. fuliginosus) would use these areas for daytime refuges whilst reptile species would be found in the leaf litter, under bark and fallen timber.
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
Native grasslands usually lack diversity in regard to fauna species, although in the mid north they may support the nationally endangered Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard, nationally vulnerable Flinders Worm Lizard and on rare occasions the nationally critically endangered Plain’s Wanderer. However, it is unlikely that these species would utilise this site as there are no records in close proximity and the area is generally degraded or surrounded by agricultural land. These areas would also offer foraging habitat for kangaroos, reptiles and birds (especially birds of prey).
Although the cropping land contains few native plants, it does offer some habitat value for fauna species. Birds of prey, reptiles and kangaroos would still utilise this area for foraging. At times these areas would have high mouse (Mus musculus) numbers and therefore provide food for a number of birds of prey species as well as brown snakes (Pseudonaja textilis). 5.4 Flora
No nationally or state threatened flora species were observed during the field survey. One species rated as ‘Rare’ for the Northern and Yorke Region, Senna artemisioides ssp. X artemisioides (Silver Senna) was recorded near the cemetery. Regionally rated species are not protected under the EPBC or NPWSA Act (except as native vegetation), but should be retained where possible. It is unlikely this area would be affected given its proximity to the cemetery.
The EPBC Protected Matters Report identified nine nationally threatened flora species as having potential to occur within the search area (Table 4). All of these species are considered unlikely to occur within the project area due to the condition of the habitat.
The BDBSA search identified records of five state threatened flora species within a 10 km buffer of the Davidson site (DEWNR 2017c) (Table 4, Map 6). Three of these species were assessed as possibly occurring in the project area; Thysanotus tenellus (Grassy Fringe-lily), Maireana excavata (Bottle Bluebush) and Wurmbea latifolia ssp. latifolia (Broad-leaf Nancy) and are further described below. A search of the ALA for the Jamison site (5 km) did not reveal any additional concerns (Atlas of Living Australia 2017). Two species that could have potentially occurred at the site (Olearia pannosa and Maireana rohrlachii) were rated unlikely as it is expected they would have been observed during field surveys if present.
The BDBSA search identified a further 57 flora species regionally rated for the Northern and Yorke region (DEWNR 2017c) (see Appendix 1).
EBS has previously recorded an additional state rare flora species, Cryptandra sp. Long hypanthium (Long-flower Cryptandra) during the ecological assessment work completed for Snowtown Wind Farm (on behalf of Tilt Renewables). This species was found in missed Eucalyptus Low Woodland near Landslide Road; there is potential habitat for this species on the west side of the ridge and near Bute- Snowtown Road in grassland/ Bursaria area. The species was not observed in the project area.
Maireana excavata (Bottle Fissure-weed) – state rare
Maireana excavata is a small perennial forb to 20 cm high. It prefers Red brown clay loam soils in open grasslands (Cunningham et al. 1992). Native grasslands across the site in low lying areas may provide potential habitat for this species which is small and could have been undetected during the survey.
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Wurmbea latifolia ssp. latifolia (Broad-leaf Nancy) – state vulnerable
Wurmbea latifolia ssp. latifolia is a perennial herb up to 15 cm high with a white flower. It is dormant and therefore difficult to detect at certain times of the year, including during the autumn survey. It is an uncommon species found in open sites in a variety of vegetation types, including in shallow waters at margins of reedy swamps, Eucalyptus camaldulensis woodlands with heathy understorey, Acacia low woodlands and sandy heathlands. If present, it is more likely to occur in the better quality woodland and grassland area (e.g. along the rail corridor). Cropping now occurs in the area where the old BDBSA record of Wurmbea latifolia (Map 6) was located, therefore it is highly unlikely this species would remain.
Thysanotus tenellus (Grassy Fringe-lily) – state rare
Thysanotus tenellus prefers Eucalyptus woodlands, Lomandra effusa Open Grasslands, Dodonaea shrublands and Bluebush shrublands. If present, it is more likely to occur in the better quality woodland and grassland area (e.g. near the rail corridor and cemetery). This species was not in its visible life phase during the autumn survey.
5.5 Fauna
The EPBC Protected Matters Report identified six threatened bird species, two threatened reptile species and 12 migratory bird species as having potential to occur within the project area (Table 4). Most of the bird species are considered unlikely to occur at the project site due to the lack of surface water.
Of these, the following fauna species were assessed as possibly occurring within the project area (the others being assessed as unlikely):
Flinders Worm Lizard (Aprasia pseudopulchella) Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis)
The BDBSA search identified records of one state threatened frog and one state threatened bird species within a 10 km buffer of the Davidson site; both considered as possibly occurring within the project area (see further details below). A search of the Atlas of Living Australia for the Jamison site (5 km radius) did not reveal any additional concerns. The BDBSA search identified records of a further 17 regionally threatened fauna species (i.e. species with a regional rating of CR, EN, VU or R) (see Appendix 1).
No nationally or state threatened fauna species were observed during the field survey. However, during nearby wind farm surveys, EBS has previously recorded other state threatened bird species in the Snowtown area, not currently reflected by the database records. These include three state listed bird species, the Peregrine Falcon, Hooded Robin and Elegant Parrot and are hence considered as possibly occurring at the project site.
The listed species considered as having potential to occur within the project area are further described below.
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment 5.5.1 Flinders Worm Lizard (Aprasia pseudopulchella) – nationally vulnerable
The Flinders Worm Lizard is a small cryptic legless lizard endemic to SA. Although it has a national conservation rating, it was delisted under the state National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 in 2008 as it is now believed to be relatively common and widespread.
Unploughed grassland areas are considered potential habitat for this species, particularly where flat loose surface rocks, leaf litter and fallen timber occur in the landscape. The species uses surface stones as protection and a source of warmth and spends much of its time in ant nests. Based on previous records and known habitat requirements, it is possible that this species occurs within the project area, in vegetation associations 1, 2 and 4 particularly in areas with surface rock and litter.
EBS has previously recorded the nationally vulnerable Flinders Worm Lizard under a rock in exotic grassland, approximately 0.5 km west of Lochiel and 11km from the Davidson site, during a wind farm survey (EBS 2008).
The Flinders Worm Lizard is difficult to survey systematically. If the temperature is too hot or cold, the species will generally retreat underground. Temperatures between 24C and 30C are considered ideal as worm-lizards will come to the near surface for warmth in Autumn and Winter. Due to its nature, this species is not readily trapped in pitfall traps or funnel traps. Active search is considered the most efficient means of survey. This involves lifting rocks and searching through leaf litter and fallen timber in areas considered as potential habitat. Targeted survey is not considered necessary at this stage because the species can go undetected despite significant investment of time spent searching and the infrastructure footprint on native vegetation areas is small. If present, the species is only likely to occur in areas where the surface has been undisturbed and contains surface rock/leaf litter. Given the fragmented and small areas not under crop, the project area is not considered to represent core habitat.
5.5.2 Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis) - nationally endangered
The Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis) is endemic to South Australia. The species was believed to be extinct until 1992 when it was rediscovered in the Burra region. Since this time other small isolated populations of this species have been found in the Mid North Region of South Australia. Any areas of native grassland or grassy woodland with a sparse overstorey which have not been previously ploughed and contain spider burrows may be capable of supporting Pygmy Bluetongue Lizards, particularly in areas with free-draining grey-brown or red calcareous soils or lithosol soils on the lower slopes of hillsides.
New populations have been found in last few years resulting in a known range extension for this species. The Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard is currently known from over 30 small, isolated sites located on private agricultural land in the mid north region of SA ranging from north-west of Jamestown, as far north as Peterborough, as far south as Kapunda, and to the South Hummocks (north of Port Wakefield) in the west. All known populations are located on private land, most of which is used for sheep grazing. They are generally surrounded by unsuitable habitat, usually cropped agricultural land. However, the full extent of most populations has not yet been determined, and it is possible that some apparently isolated localities may belong to larger, more contiguous populations (Duffy et al. 2012).
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
The Pygmy Bluetongue relies on spider burrows, made by wolf spiders and trapdoor spiders, as refuge sites and feeds on a wide variety of insect species as well as some vegetative matter. This species is known to occupy similar grassland habitats to that found within the proposed project site (Duffy et al. 2012). A targeted search was not undertaken for this project.
Whilst there are no records of the species in close proximity to the site, potentially suitable habitat occurs on site and it is known there are various small, fragmented populations of this species from the mid north region. Therefore, the potential occurrence of Pygmy Bluetongues cannot be ruled out. However, if they did occur in the project area, it is likely to be in very low densities and in more continuous areas of native grassland such as in the transmission line area of the site. Even highly degraded grasslands (dominated by exotic species) are potential habitat, provided the area is unploughed and the soil structure remains intact.
5.5.3 Fork-tailed Swift (Apus pacificus) – migratory
The Fork-tailed Swift is a migratory species, which breeds from north-central Russia in the west to Japan in the east, and spends the non-breeding season in Australia and south-east Asia. This species arrives in Australia in October and departs by mid-April. Fork-tailed Swifts are almost exclusively aerial in Australia, and can inhabit a wide array of habitats, including open country, semi-deserts to coasts, islands, forests and cities. Given the suite of habitats the Fork-tailed Swift can inhabit, matched with their regular presence in South Australia within 50 km of the coast, it is possible that they may occur irregularly within the project area.
5.5.4 Plains-wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus) – nationally critically endangered
It is unlikely that the Plains Wanderer will be present within the project area, as the species is considered to be functionally extinct within the region (Baker-Gabb 1990), with the few regional records present in recent decades believed to be derived from infrequent visitors that have arrived in the region due to insufficient availability of resources further inland (Baker-Gabb 1990; Garnett and Crowley 2000). Furthermore, the extent of native grasslands, their preferred habitat, within the project area is highly limited.
5.5.5 Jacky Winter (Microeca fascinans fascinans) – rare in SA
The Jacky Winter prefer open woodland with an open shrub layer and a lot of bare ground, and are often seen in farm paddocks with scattered trees. They catch insects from the air on the wing. Numbers have declined substantially in some areas, particularly in the south, from clearing of woodland habitat. The Jacky Winter has been recorded by EBS during surveys for nearby wind farm projects. 5.6 Declared plants
Twenty exotic flora species were recorded within the project area (Appendix 1). Exotic flora species were present throughout the site due to the highly modified landscape. Six species declared under the Natural Resource Management Act 2004 were found within the project area during this survey including Bathurst Burr (Xanthium spinosum) at the Jamison Site, Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides), Caltrop (Tribulus terrestris) and African Boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum) in woodland areas in the transmission
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment line and Salvation Jane (Echium plantagineum) and Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) scattered across the project area. African Boxthorn is also a Weed of National Significance (WoNS).
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Table 4. Threatened flora and threatened and migratory fauna species potentially occurring within the project area. Last Likelihood of Conservation status Source of Scientific name Common name sighting occurrence within information Aus SA (year) project area Amphibians Pseudophryne bibronii Brown Toadlet R 2 1963 Unlikely Birds Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper Mi R 1 Unlikely Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift Mi 1 Possible Botaurus poiciloptilus Australasian Bittern EN V 1 Unlikely Calidris acuminata Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Mi 1 Unlikely Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper CE, Mi 1 Unlikely Calidris melanotos Pectoral Sandpiper Mi 1 Unlikely Gallinago hardwickii Latham's Snipe Mi 1 Unlikely Grantiella picta Painted Honeyeater VU R 1 Unlikely Microeca fascinans ssp. fascinans Jacky Winter R (ssp) 2 2001 Likely Motacilla cinerea Grey Wagtail Mi 1 Unlikely Motacilla flava Yellow Wagtail Mi 1 Unlikely Myiagra cyanoleuca Satin Flycatcher Mi 1 Unlikely Numenius madagascariensis Eastern Curlew CE, Mi V 1 Unlikely Pandion haliaetus Osprey Mi E 1 Unlikely Pedionomus torquatus Plains-wanderer CE E 1 Unlikely Rostratula australis Australian Painted Snipe EN V 1 Unlikely Tringa nebularia Common Greenshank Mi 1 Unlikely Plants Caladenia gladiolata Bayonet Spider-orchid EN E 1 Unlikely Caladenia macroclavia Large-club Spider-orchid EN E 1 Unlikely Caladenia tensa Greencomb Spider-orchid EN 1 Unlikely Caladenia woolcockiorum Woolcock's Spider-orchid VU E 1 Unlikely Caladenia xantholeuca White Rabbits EN E 1 Unlikely Eremophila subfloccosa ssp. glandulosa Green-flower Emubush R 2 1971 Unlikely Maireana excavata Bottle Fissure-plant V 2 1966 Possible
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
Last Likelihood of Conservation status Source of Scientific name Common name sighting occurrence within information Aus SA (year) project area Maireana rohrlachii Rohrlach's Bluebush R R 2 1966 Unlikely Olearia pannosa subsp. pannosa Silver Daisy-bush VU V 1 Unlikely Prasophyllum validum Sturdy Leek-orchid VU V 1 Unlikely Pterostylis lepida Halbury Greenhood EN E 1 Unlikely Swainsona pyrophila Yellow Swainson-pea VU R 1 Unlikely Thysanotus tenellus Grassy Fringe-lily Possible – native R 2 1966 grassland areas Wurmbea latifolia ssp. latifolia Broad-leaf Nancy Possible – areas of better condition V 2 1978 grassland/mallee Reptiles Possible – areas with undisturbed surface Aprasia pseudopulchella Flinders Ranges Worm-lizard VU 1 rock/leaf litter Tiliqua adelaidensis Pygmy Blue-tongue Lizard EN E 1 Unlikely
Conservation status Aus: Australia (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999). SA: South Australia (National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972). Conservation Codes: CE: Critically Endangered. EN/E: Endangered. VU/V: Vulnerable. R: Rare. ssp.: the conservation status applies at the sub-species level. An asterisk denotes ratings that need to be qualified for a variety of reasons, such as changes to taxonomy or nomenclature since listing or because a species assessed as 'presumed extinct' had to be listed under the Endangered category. Further details are available from the Vascular Plant Metadata document on the DEWNR website.
Source of Information 1. EPBC Act Protected Matters Report (DOEE 2017) – 1 km buffer applied to project area. 2. Biological Database of South Australia data extract (DEWNR 2017c) - 10 km buffer applied to project area (* note that data search did not include Jamison site).
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
Map 6. BDBSA flora records within the vicinity of the project area.
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
Map 7. BDBSA fauna records within the vicinity of the project area.
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment 6 DISCUSSION
The overall ecological impact of the proposed development is considered to be low as clearance of native vegetation should be limited and the site is not providing critical habitat to any flora or fauna of conservation significance. The majority of the impact area is proposed in cropping land, agricultural land, exotic grasslands and areas grazed by sheep.
The majority of solar farm infrastructure will be installed in cropping land, with some limited impact on native vegetation for access tracks including Enneapogon/Austrostipa sp. grassland in very poor to poor condition, or exotic grassland.
The transmission line is proposed in cropping, grasslands and adjacent Eucalyptus porosa woodland. The condition of the E. porosa woodland is poor to moderate with patches dominated by weedy understorey and others by native grass. The rail corridor contains a linear strip of E. porosa Woodland and native grassland of poor to moderate condition, which should be avoided if possible. The survey buffer included the southern extent of the Cemetery, containing E. porosa Woodland of moderate condition.
Vegetation condition is best around the old cemetery on Landslide Road and at the north of the proposed transmission line near the old rail corridor. However, the transmission line is considered low impact as the footprint will be relatively small with only two to ten poles required, depending on the chosen route. There will be an approximately 2/2.5km connection from the Davidson site to the substation on Landslide Road, which might aerially cross over the cemetery. From an ecological perspective, the design should avoid the rail line and the cemetery as these areas have the highest value E. porosa woodland and native grasslands. In all areas any woodland and native grassland should be avoided where there are alternative options (such as cropping, crop edges and exotic grassland), regardless of condition.
The Jamison site is also on cropped land hence there should be little or no impact on native vegetation, apart from that related to property access or along the southern edge of the proposed solar farm where degraded native grassland was observed. Native grassland of poor condition was mapped along the roadside of Hewett Road and Wokurna Road (Map 4).
The client requested a specific assessment for site access points, as follows:
A 20 m access point/track off Wokurna Road adjacent (west) of the substation at the Jamison site. This area is exotic grassland with low ecological value and is considered a suitable location to position the access track.
Access for the Davidson site off Lochiel Snowtown Road along the eastern boundary. This area comprises degraded native grassland and is considered a suitable location for access. Grassland is most degraded between the patch of E. porosa and the house. The E. porosa should be avoided if possible.
Impacts on native animal species likely to occur near the site are considered negligible. The area where the solar farm is to be constructed is already under crop and hence will not reduce habitat availability or access. No survey was undertaken for the EPBC listed Flinders Worm Lizard or Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard. It is considered the majority of infrastructure could be installed in or directly adjacent cropping
40
Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment areas (which are more degraded), on degraded road sides and using existing tracks with only minimal disturbance to native vegetation. Therefore, it is unlikely these species would be affected (if present) if the infrastructure is positioned in such areas. As such, an EPBC referral should not be required. However, should the proposal require increased clearance or impact footprints, the occurrence of these species should be considered further if impacting on suitable habitats. Given the small total population size, the limited number of sites at which the Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard is known to occur, and the limited availability of suitable habitat, it is considered that all known habitat is critical to their survival. If these species are present and the project is deemed to have a significant impact on them an EPBC referral may be required under the significant impact guidelines (COA 2013). It is recommended the client discuss with DOEE before submitting a referral. 6.1 Potential impacts of development
Minimal vegetation clearance is required based on the current proposal. However, native vegetation clearance approval is required for impacts on areas allocated a condition score of 1:1 or above (Map 2 to 5). A significant environmental benefit (SEB) is required to offset any clearance of vegetation. The SEB can include protecting and enhancing native vegetation or revegetation in the same region as the clearance or a payment into the native vegetation fund. It is preferred if the SEB is achieved via on ground works or protection of vegetation, but payments are acceptable if this is not possible. The SEB requirement cannot be calculated until the exact infrastructure layout / extent of impact is known. Once spatial infrastructure footprints are available, the clearance footprint will be determined and the SEB requirements can be provided in hectares (to offset) or dollars for a payment.
The minimal vegetation remaining in the Wokurna and Barunga Environmental Associations (<5%) indicates that any remnant vegetation in this area has considerable value and clearance should be minimised where possible. It is recommended the chosen transmission route is located in cropping land where possible, and avoids areas of native vegetation, particularly of higher SEB condition (Map 2 - 5).
In terms of site access, and transmission route, the overall area of disturbance should be small.
There is a possibility that vegetation within and adjacent to the area could be affected indirectly by the proposal. Effects may include altered drainage, erosion, soil compaction and shade and the introduction of weeds. All of these issues will need to be managed during the construction and operation phases of the project.
Impacts of fauna may include: destruction or fragmentation of habitats; noise disturbance during construction or operation, and direct interaction with solar farm infrastructure. Because the solar is to be located on cleared land, the impact on fauna habitat will be negligible. However the potential occurrence of Flinders Ranges Worm Lizard and Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard should be considered.
There may be some disturbance to reptile species during the construction phase. However, the loss of habitat and any injury or mortality is likely to be low, localised and occur over the short-term. Due to the small area of potential disturbance it is very unlikely that an impact on Flinders Worm Lizard would be deemed ‘significant’.
During the construction phase of the proposal there may be some disturbance to birds inhabiting the project area due to the noise and construction activity. These effects would be localised and short-term.
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
Disturbance due to the construction noise could be minimised by undertaking the majority of the work outside of the breeding season for the majority of bird species. This would mean limiting construction during the period from September through to December.
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment 7 RECOMMENDATIONS
From an ecological perspective, the location of the solar farm is considered low impact given most infrastructure will be on cropping land. The location of the transmission route is potentially greater impact if impacting on woodland and native grassland, i.e. along the rail line and near the cemetery.
The following recommendations are made to minimise ecological impacts:
Avoid impact on native vegetation where alternative options exist, particularly areas of higher SEB condition ratio.
Avoid impact on areas of Eucalyptus porosa Woodland (i.e. along the rail line, paddock wind breaks and cemetery area)
Minimise clearance envelope and construction footprint to avoid trees and areas identified as native vegetation.
Utilise existing access points where possible
Avoid impact on natural drainage areas.
Avoid impact on areas considered potential Flinders Ranges Worm-lizard and Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard habitat.
Once a final layout and site access points have been decided, it is advisable to check potentially suitable habitat for the presence of the Flinders Worm-lizard and Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard if in native grassland or woodland areas. Targeted survey is best done in Autumn to Spring for the former and Spring to Summer for the latter.
Environmental approvals need to be obtained before any development takes place:
Should suitable habitat or records of the Flinders Ranges Worm Lizard be found in the final impact footprint, then consider submitting a referral under the EPBC Act. However, it is recommended the project manager first consults with a Department of Environment EPBC Act representative to discuss the nature of the project against the Significant Impact Guidelines.
In relation to the SA Native Vegetation Act 1991, determine whether the proposed construction footprint will involve clearance of native vegetation in areas covered by the Act.
o Seek relevant approvals from the Native Vegetation Council for any clearance or trimming of native vegetation covered by the Native Vegetation Act 1991, unless subject to an exemption under the Regulations. Any queries regarding the clearance of native vegetation should be directed to the Native Vegetation Council Secretariat. o determine required SEB offset for approved clearance under the Native Vegetation Act 1991 (if relevant) and how it will be achieved, i.e.: at the site of the operations or within the same region of the State through agreed SEB offsets, or by payment into the Native Vegetation Fund. o Prepare a native vegetation management plan for assessment and approval of the SEB if required (refer to relevant exemption).
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
If the proposed impact area is altered, undertaken additional survey if required and seek relevant approvals.
The following recommendations are made in relation to operational management:
Prepare a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) to guide development of the site.
Ensure the work area and areas designated for clearance are clearly delineated and works are undertaken using environmental best practice methods. Ensure that all trees not directly affected are protected from injury, including root damage during the construction phase. The ‘Tree Protection Zone’ is the minimum area around a tree that must be left undisturbed; refer to Australian Standards AS 4970-2009 Protection of trees on development sites
Ensure native vegetation clearance is restricted to the designated clearance envelope.
Access/stockpile/machinery parking areas and general laydown areas (if required) must be restricted to areas designated and assessed, where no clearance/damage to native vegetation will be required.
Ensure any tree pruning is undertaken in line with Australian standards. Undertake control work of declared and environmental weeds in consultation with landholders and the NY NRMB.
Ensuring hygiene protocols are strictly followed to avoid spreading of pest plant species and Phytophthora, e.g. o Ensure that construction machinery is clean and free from soil pathogens and any weed seed materials before entering/exiting the area. This includes performing appropriate hygiene when leaving the subject site to avoid potential spread. o Vegetative material removed from the site must be managed appropriately (i.e. any dumping should occur at a licensed waste facility: no spreading of material contaminated with weed propagules amongst native vegetation). o Implement best practice operating procedure in relation to Phytophthora – refer to the national and state Phytophthora Management Guidelines. o Any soil/material brought to site should be certified clean and free of weed propagules and soil pathogens.
Clearance/construction work should be supervised and carried out sensitively to ensure minimum disturbance.
All onsite personnel to be advised of site protocols and to keep to designated access. Use low impact methods (e.g. minimal ground disturbance, cutting cleanly rather than breaking branches, slashing, trimming, mowing, or rolling) when clearing vegetation if possible, to reduce potential weed invasion and erosion problems.
Cleared vegetation should not be deposited on or amongst other native vegetation but should be disposed of in a manner that does not affect native vegetation, unless it is useful as habitat for wildlife, or is scattered sparsely amongst the remaining vegetation.
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
Where possible, allow natural regeneration of remnant native vegetation after works undertaken. Undertaken infill revegetation using locally native species, including mid-storey species
Where possible, transplant native understorey species disturbed by development.
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment 8 REFERENCES
Atlas of Living Australia (2018). https://www.ala.org.au/, accessed 19 May 2017.
Baker-Gabb, D.J (1990) An annoted listed of records of Plains Wanderers Pedionomus torquatus, 1980- 1989. Australian Bird Watcher 13: 249-252.
Commonwealth of Australia (2013) Matters of National Environmental Significance: Significant Impact Guidelines 1.1. Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Australian Government Department of the Environment.
Cunningham G M, Mulham W E, Milthorpe P L, Leigh J H (1992) Plants of Western new South Wales Inkata Press
DEH (2001) Provisional List of Threatened Ecosystems of South Australia, unpublished and provisional list, Department for Environment and Heritage.
Department of Planning and Local Government (2011) Mid North Regional Plan: A volume of the South Australian Planning Strategy. Government of South Australia.
Department of the Environment and Energy (2017) EPBC Act Protected Matters Report. Report for selected polygon – Snowtown Solar project area (1 km buffer applied). Report created: 12/05/17. Commonwealth of Australia.
Department of the Environment (DOE) (2012) Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia v. 7 (IBRA) http://www.environment.gov.au, Australian Government Department of the Environment.
DEWNR (2017a) Naturemaps online mapping tool, www.naturemaps.sa.gov.au. Accessed 11 May 2017.
DEWNR (2017b) Vascular plants and vertebrate fauna BDBSA taxonomy lists. Last updated April 2017
DEWNR (2017c) BDBSA data extract. Recordset number DEWNRBDBSA170413-1. Government of South Australia.
Duffy, A, Pound, L and How, T (2012) Recovery Plan for the Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard Tiliqua adelaidensis. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, South Australia.
EBS (2008) Snowtown Windfarm Stage 2 Ecological Assessment, Prepared by Environmental and Biodiversity Services for Wind Prospect Pty Ltd.
Favier, D, Scholtz, G, Vanlaarhoven, J, Bradley, J, Phipps, L, (2004) A River Management Plan for the Broughton Catchment, Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation.
Garnett, S.T., Crowley, G.M. (2000) The Action Plan for Australian Birds. Environment Australia, Canberra.
Graham, A, Oppermann, A, Inns, R W (2001) Biodiversity Plan for Northern Agricultural Districts, Department for Environment and Heritage, South Australia.
Neagle, N (Ed) (2008) A Biological Survey of the Mid North and Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, 2003- 2004: Assessment of Biodiversity Assets at Risk. (Department for Environment and Heritage, South Australia).
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
Neagle, N (1995). An Update of the Conservation Status of the Major Plant Associations of South Australia, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Adelaide.
Threatened Species Scientific Committee (2008) Conservation listing advice on Aprasia pseudopulchella (Flinders Ranges Worm-lizard). Accessed from www.environment.gov.au., Australian Government Department of the Environment.
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment 9 APPENDICES
Appendix 1. National, state and regional threatened flora recorded within 10 km of the project area.
Conservation status Scientific name Common name Last sighting Aus SA Regional Acacia brachybotrya Grey Mulga-bush RA 20/09/1975 Acacia continua Thorn Wattle RA 24/08/1966 Acacia wilhelmiana Dwarf Nealie EN 22/01/2004 Arthropodium minus Small Vanilla-lily RA 30/09/1960 Asperula conferta Common Woodruff RA 27/11/1969 Astroloma humifusum Cranberry Heath RA 17/09/1963 Atriplex acutibractea ssp. karoniensis Pointed Saltbush RA 06/08/1966 Austrostipa puberula Fine-hairy Spear-grass RA 01/11/1968 Billardiera versicolor Yellow-flower Apple-berry VU 17/09/1966 Bulbine semibarbata Small Leek-lily VU 29/10/1968 Callitris verrucosa Scrub Cypress Pine VU 13/04/2011 Calytrix tetragona Common Fringe-myrtle VU 07/11/1967 Cotula australis Common Cotula RA 15/08/1971 Cullen australasicum Tall Scurf-pea VU 19/08/1969 Cyperus laevigatus Bore-drain Sedge RA 16/12/1989 Dampiera lanceolata var. lanceolata Grooved Dampiera CR 02/11/1969 Dodonaea hexandra Horned Hop-bush RA 17/06/1981 Enteropogon ramosus Umbrella Grass RA 18/11/1995 Eremophila crassifolia Thick-leaf Emubush VU 14/08/1967 Eremophila subfloccosa ssp. glandulosa Green-flower Emubush R EN 10/08/1971 Eucalyptus calycogona ssp. trachybasis Square-fruit Mallee RA 27/01/1976 Eucalyptus incrassata Ridge-fruited Mallee RA 13/04/2011 Eucalyptus socialis ssp. socialis Beaked Red Mallee RA 13/04/2011 Eutaxia diffusa Large-leaf Eutaxia VU 25/11/1968 Exocarpos sparteus Slender Cherry RA 03/11/1966 Geococcus pusillus Earth Cress EN 14/08/1968 Geranium retrorsum Grassland Geranium VU 15/10/1966 Glycine rubiginosa Twining Glycine VU 27/08/1966 Grammosolen dixonii VU 15/08/1967 Hakea mitchellii Heath Needlebush VU 31/10/1969 Haloragis aspera Rough Raspwort RA 16/01/2004 Hardenbergia violacea Native Lilac VU 28/08/1967 Hybanthus floribundus ssp. floribundus Shrub Violet EN 10/08/1967 Kennedia prostrata Scarlet Runner EN 15/08/1967 Lasiopetalum behrii Pink Velvet-bush RA 08/09/1966 Leptorhynchos squamatus ssp. squamatus Scaly Buttons RA 15/10/1966 Leptospermum coriaceum Dune Tea-tree VU 28/08/1975 Lomandra densiflora Soft Tussock Mat-rush RA 07/12/2002 Lomandra leucocephala ssp. Woolly Mat-rush RA 04/10/1967
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
Conservation status Scientific name Common name Last sighting Aus SA Regional robusta Maireana excavata Bottle Fissure-plant V VU 02/08/1966 Maireana rohrlachii Rohrlach's Bluebush R VU 11/06/1966 Millotia muelleri Common Bow-flower RA 16/08/1970 Muehlenbeckia adpressa Climbing Lignum VU 15/08/1967 Omphalolappula concava Burr Stickseed EN 27/09/1968 Panicum effusum var. effusum Hairy Panic RA 13/04/2011 Pimelea micrantha Silky Riceflower RA 24/10/1967 Plantago gaudichaudii Narrow-leaf Plantain VU 02/08/1966 Ptilotus nobilis ssp. angustifolius Yellow-tails RA 29/09/1966 Scaevola albida Pale Fanflower VU 07/12/2002 Scaevola humilis Inland Fanflower RA 06/11/1966 Senna artemisioides ssp. X artemisioides Silver Senna RA 01/06/2005 Solanum capsiciforme Capsicum Kangaroo-apple VU 25/02/1966 Solanum simile Kangaroo Apple RA 04/02/1966 Spyridium subochreatum Velvet Spyridium EN 15/08/1967 Stenanthemum leucophractum White Cryptandra VU 27/10/1966 Swainsona stipularis Orange Swainson-pea CR 09/09/1966 Templetonia rossii Flat Mallee-pea EN 02/02/2004 Thysanotus tenellus Grassy Fringe-lily R CR 15/10/1966 Triraphis mollis Purple Plume Grass RA 28/02/1968 Trymalium wayi Grey Trymalium RA 23/08/1966 Wurmbea latifolia ssp. latifolia Broad-leaf Nancy V VU 30/07/1978 Zygophyllum aurantiacum ssp. aurantiacum Shrubby Twinleaf RA 07/09/1966 Sourced from the BDBSA (DEWNR 2017c).
Aus: Australia (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999). SA: South Australia (National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972). AMLR: Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Region (Gillam and Urban 2014). Conservation Codes: CR/CE: Critically Endangered. EN/E: Endangered. VU/V: Vulnerable. R/RA: Rare.
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
Appendix 2. Flora species observed within the project area during the field survey.
Conservation status Vegetation association * Scientific name Common name Family Aus SA 1 2 3 4 Acacia ligulata Umbrella Bush LEGUMINOSAE N Acacia notabilis Notable Wattle LEGUMINOSAE T Acacia pycnantha Golden Wattle LEGUMINOSAE 3 * Aira sp. Hair-grass GRAMINEAE T Allocasuarina verticillata Drooping Sheoak CASUARINACEAE N Aristida behriana Brush Wire-grass GRAMINEAE T * Asparagus asparagoides f. LILIACEAE T * Asphodelus fistulosus Onion Weed LILIACEAE T T Austrostipa elegantissima Feather Spear-grass GRAMINEAE T N Austrostipa sp. Spear-grass GRAMINEAE 1 T 1 Austrostipa sp. 2 Spear-grass GRAMINEAE T * Avena barbata Bearded Oat GRAMINEAE T Bursaria spinosa ssp. Bursaria PITTOSPORACEAE N N Callitris gracilis Southern Cypress Pine CUPRESSACEAE T * Centaurea calcitrapa Star Thistle COMPOSITAE N Chloris sp. Windmill Grass/Chloris GRAMINEAE T 1 * Citrullus colocynthis Colocynth CUCURBITACEAE T * Cucumis myriocarpus Paddy Melon CUCURBITACEAE T Dianella revoluta var. LILIACEAE T 1 Dysphania pumilio Small Crumbweed CHENOPODIACEAE T * Echium plantagineum Salvation Jane BORAGINACEAE T N Enchylaena tomentosa var. Ruby Saltbush CHENOPODIACEAE 1 Enneapogon nigricans Black-head Grass GRAMINEAE 1 1 Eremophila longifolia Weeping Emubush MYOPORACEAE T N Eucalyptus cladocalyx ssp. Sugar Gum MYRTACEAE N Eucalyptus leucoxylon ssp. South Australian Blue Gum MYRTACEAE T Eucalyptus porosa Mallee Box MYRTACEAE 4 * Euphorbia terracina False Caper EUPHORBIACEAE T Haloragis aspera Rough Raspwort HALORAGACEAE N Heliotropium europaeum Common Heliotrope BORAGINACEAE 1 1 T * Hypochaeris radicata Rough Cat's Ear COMPOSITAE T 1 Lepidium sp. Peppercress CRUCIFERAE T
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Snowtown Solar Farm Flora and Fauna Assessment
Conservation status Vegetation association * Scientific name Common name Family Aus SA 1 2 3 4 Lepidosperma viscidum Sticky Sword-sedge CYPERACEAE T Lomandra effusa Scented Mat-rush LILIACEAE T T Lomandra multiflora ssp. dura Hard Mat-rush LILIACEAE T * Lycium ferocissimum African Boxthorn SOLANACEAE N N Maireana brevifolia Short-leaf Bluebush CHENOPODIACEAE T 1 Maireana turbinata Top-fruit Bluebush CHENOPODIACEAE N * Malva sp. Mallow MALVACEAE 1 N * Marrubium vulgare Horehound LABIATAE N T T Melaleuca lanceolata Dryland Tea-tree MYRTACEAE N N * Panicum sp. Panic/Millet GRAMINEAE T T 1 * Piptatherum miliaceum Rice Millet GRAMINEAE T 1 N Pittosporum angustifolium Native Apricot PITTOSPORACEAE N Rytidosperma sp. GRAMINEAE 1 Salsola australis Buckbush CHENOPODIACEAE N T * Salvia verbenaca var. Wild Sage LABIATAE T * Schinus molle Pepper-tree ANACARDIACEAE N Senna artemisioides ssp. petiolaris LEGUMINOSAE T Senna artemisioides ssp. X 1 artemisioides Silver Senna LEGUMINOSAE Senna artemisioides ssp. X 1 coriacea Broad-leaf Desert Senna LEGUMINOSAE Sida corrugata var. Corrugated Sida MALVACEAE N Solanum esuriale Quena SOLANACEAE T T * Solanum sp. Nightshade/Potato-bush SOLANACEAE 1 T T * Sonchus oleraceus Common Sow-thistle COMPOSITAE 1 1 Themeda triandra Kangaroo Grass GRAMINEAE 1 * Tribulus terrestris Caltrop ZYGOPHYLLACEAE T Vittadinia blackii Narrow-leaf New Holland Daisy COMPOSITAE T Vittadinia gracilis Woolly New Holland Daisy COMPOSITAE N * Xanthium spinosum Bathurst Burr COMPOSITAE T T Aus: Australia (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999). SA: South Australia (National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972). Conservation codes: CE: Critically Endangered. EN/E: Endangered. VU/V: Vulnerable. R: Rare. *: Introduced.
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EBS Ecology 3/119 Hayward Avenue Torrensville, SA 5031 www.ebsecology.com.au t. 08 7127 5607 f. 08 8352 1222
SNOWTOWN NORTH SOLAR FARM- PLANNING REPORT
APPENDIX D Surface Water Strategy
23 November 2017 Report No. 1671306-006-R-Rev4
Tilt Renewables Australia Pty Ltd 28th June 2017 PO Box 16080 Collins Street West Job No. ADL170746 Melbourne VICTORIA 8007
Attention: Jeremy Ellis
Dear Jeremy
SNOWTOWN PROPOSED SOLAR FACILITY – SURFACE WATER STRATEGY
Wallbridge Gilbert Aztec (WGA) was engaged to develop a surface water management strategy for a site near Snowtown SA where a solar facility is proposed. The strategy is aimed at managing the impacts of the proposed solar facility on the existing runoff at the site. As well as runoff at the site itself, runoff from upstream catchments and to downstream catchments has been considered.
1. EXISTING CONDITIONS
The site is cropped land with no major infrastructure within the site boundaries. Located approximately 160km north of Adelaide, and 13km north west of Snowtown, SA, the site is bordered by Hewitt Rd to the south and Wokurna Rd to the east. To the north and west is more undeveloped cropped land. Figure 1 below depicts typical site conditions in the area. There is a 132kW electricity transmission line running east west across the site as shown in the proposed site plan attached.
Figure 1: Typical Existing Site Conditions
The site area is approximately 108 ha. The site grades are reasonably consistently at 2.7% from east to west. Site levels were estimated from 10m contours supplied to WGA. The general topographic data is not detailed to indicate local site undulations; however, from the site contours it appears the fall is reasonably consistent.
2. PROPOSED FACILITY
The proposed solar facility would fill the entire 108 ha site. Access is proposed from Wokurna Rd via an access track which will run through to the western site boundary.
It is noted that the panels would form a continuous impervious area but a series of angled impervious areas and open spaces between rows of panels. It is proposed to maintain the existing soil covering over the surface under the solar panels, and graze sheep on the site to control grass growth.
A typical solar panel arrangement is shown in Figure 2. This has been taken from the Tilt Renewables website.
Figure 2: Typical Solar Facility Arrangement
3. RUNOFF CALCULATIONS
a. Existing runoff estimates
The rational method was used to evaluate runoff from the site in various storm events. Reference was made to Australian Rainfall & Runoff (ARR) to estimate an appropriate existing runoff coefficient. The site is located in the south east region of SA according to figure 3.2 of ARR. This area is assigned runoff coefficients as outlined in Table 1. Time of concentration as outlined in ARR is based on the area of the catchment and estimated at 31.5 minutes. Rainfall intensities for this time of concentration were evaluated for the 10, 20, 50 and 100 year Average Recurrence Interval (ARI) event. Runoff results are summarised in Table 1.
Table 1: Existing Conditions Runoff Summary Runoff ARI Event Runoff Coefficient 10 0.23 2.7 m3/s 20 0.25 3.6 m3/s 50 0.26 4.9 m3/s 100 0.28 6.4 m3/s
It is noted that there is no clear discharge point from the site in the form of a creek or similar flow path. Thus there is unlikely to be a single location where this peak site discharge will occur.
b. Proposed Stormwater Strategy
As outlined above, the surface itself will remain unchanged from its existing conditions, however the solar panels will change the runoff pattern. The solar panels will produce runoff as per a roof surface acting as separate completely impervious panels. Runoff will fall onto the existing soil in concentrated areas between the rows and then disperse under the panels. The panels will thus create localised flow paths that are currently not present at the site.
170746lt001 Rev A - Surface Water Strategy 2
Overall the runoff coefficient for the site is estimated to increase as shown in Table 2.
Table 2: Proposed Conditions Runoff Summary
Runoff ARI Event Runoff Coefficient 10 0.26 3.0 m3/s 20 0.28 4.1 m3/s 50 0.29 5.5 m3/s 100 0.31 7.1 m3/s
4. DESIGN STANDARD
In lieu of applicable stormwater management standards for this type of development, WGA has recommended reasonable design standards to develop stormwater management measures. These are summarised below;
• Protect the site from upstream runoff • Manage stormwater discharge from the site to allow it disperse overland • Prevent concentrated discharge to downstream properties • Manage runoff within the site such that erosion is minimised
5. MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
To meet the design standards outlined above, a number of stormwater management measures are proposed, summarised in Table 3.
Table 3: Summary of Proposed Mitigation Measures
Mitigation Location Purpose Intercept upstream overland flows from Cut off drain Eastern boundaries. external catchments. Western boundaries Intercept and convey overland flow from the Internal swales and either side of the site and internal flow paths. access track. Collect stormwater from the internal swales. Retain stormwater allowing infiltration and Approximately 3 evaporation. Retention basins locations along the Reduce the concentration of overland flows western boundaries. discharging to downstream sites, and the potential for erosion.
The cut off drain, swales and retention basins should be sized to have capacity for a 20 year ARI storm. In larger events, the localised impacts on site runoff created by the solar panels are likely to be eclipsed by regional runoff.
Yours faithfully
Lucy Pocock for WALLBRIDGE GILBERT AZTEC
LP
Attachments – Proposed Site Plan Management Concept Layout
170746lt001 Rev A - Surface Water Strategy 3 a
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Legend Site Boundary Access Track (10m wide) 132 kW Snowtown to Buffer (5m wide) Snowtown Tee Battery (30 x 30m) Site Facility (60 x 60m) Solar Panel Area Proposed Transmission LIne Connection Parcels
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SNOWTOWN NORTH SOLAR FARM- PLANNING REPORT
APPENDIX E Contractor’s Environmental Management Framework
23 November 2017 Report No. 1671306-006-R-Rev4
30 October 2017
SNOWTOWN NORTH SOLAR FARM
Contractor's Environmental Management Framework
Submitted to: Tilt Renewables Australia L23, 535 Bourke Street MELBOURNE VIC 3000
EMF Golder Report Number. 1671306-010-R-Rev0
Distribution: C 1 E-copy - Tilt Renewables 1 E-copy - Golder Associates Pty Ltd
SNOWTOWN NORTH SOLAR FARM- CEMF
Record of Issue
Company Client Contact Version Date Issued Method of Delivery
Tilt Renewables Jeremy Ellis 1671306-010-R-RevA 3 Aug 2017 Via email
Tilt Renewables Jeremy Ellis 1671306-010-R-Rev0 30 Oct 2017 Via email
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Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 1
1.1 Purpose ...... 3
2.0 REGULATORY AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE ...... 4
2.1 Management Responsibilities and General Duties ...... 5
2.2 Training and Awareness ...... 6
2.2.1 Inductions ...... 6
2.2.2 Pre-Starts and Toolbox Talks ...... 6
2.3 Emergency Contacts ...... 7
3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ...... 8
3.1 Key Environmental Aspects ...... 8
3.2 Management Strategies ...... 8
3.2.1 Flora and fauna ...... 8
3.2.2 Soil erosion and drainage management ...... 10
3.2.3 Air quality, noise and vibration ...... 10
3.2.4 Contamination management procedures ...... 13
3.2.4.1 Contamination contingency plan ...... 14
3.2.5 Aboriginal heritage ...... 15
3.2.6 Waste management ...... 16
4.0 MONITORING, REPORTING AND REVIEW ...... 17
4.1 Reporting, inspections and auditing ...... 17
5.0 SUMMARY OF DOCUMENTS AND APPROVALS ...... 18
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TABLES Table 1: Project Approval Requirements ...... 4 Table 2: Project responsibilities ...... 5 Table 3: Native vegetation management ...... 8 Table 4: Fauna management ...... 9 Table 5: Weed and pest management ...... 9 Table 6: Soil erosion and drainage management ...... 10 Table 7: Air quality management ...... 11 Table 8: Noise and vibration management ...... 12 Table 9: Contamination management ...... 13 Table 10: Aboriginal heritage management...... 15 Table 11: Waste management ...... 16 Table 12: External approvals and permits ...... 18
PHOTOGRAPHS Figure 1: Proposed Site Layout ...... 2
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1.0 INTRODUCTION Tilt Renewables Australia (Tilt) has proposed the development of a large-scale photovoltaic (PV) farm that will generate up to 50 MW of solar energy, 10 km west of Snowtown and 170 km north of Adelaide in South Australia. The Snowtown North Solar Farm (the Project) will consist of up to 180,000 solar PV panels and potential battery storage. It will be located on 100 ha of cleared farming land next to the existing Tilt Renewables’ Snowtown Stage 1 Wind Farm substation. In accordance with new legislation for electricity generation projects with generating capacity of more than 5MW, a planning application for the project will be lodged with South Australia’s Development Assessment Commission (DAC). Environmental risks and potential impacts have been assessed for the Project considering the proposed construction activities and with input from technical studies including a Flora and Fauna Assessment, Surface Water Strategy, and Archaeological Assessment. This Contractor’s Environmental Management Framework (CEMF) has been produced to provide a management framework and potential mitigation measures for impacts to the environment during the construction phase of the Project. The proposed site layout is shown in Figure 1.
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Figure 1: Proposed Site Layout
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1.1 Purpose The successful contractor will be required to protect the community and environment during construction, such that the reputation of Tilt Renewables as a responsible developer is maintained. The purpose of this CEMF is to: Provide a framework to demonstrate how the successful Contractor will implement measures to reduce potential environmental impacts of the Project during construction. Define objectives and measurable targets associated with the significant environmental aspects of the project. Document the policies, processes and procedures that the Contractor will adopt to identify, manage and control the environmental aspects and impacts (using a risk management approach); legislative requirements; approval conditions; and other environmental obligations that relate to the construction phase of the project. Allocate responsibilities for ensuring the effective implementation of these policies, processes and procedures. Describe how the Contractor will monitor and review the environmental management performance of the project to drive continuous improvement. The CEMF will be used by the contractor to develop the Contractor’s Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) for the construction phase of the project and will ensure appropriate management of relevant environmental issues.
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2.0 REGULATORY AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE Table 1: Project Approval Requirements Type of Relevant Approval Approval/consideration Responsibility approval/legislative legislation authority notes and Timing considerations Development Development A Development Application Tilt Act 1993 (SA) Assessment Development Approval will be submitted to DAC for Prior to (Development Commission assessment and approval. Construction Act) (DAC)
Environment South Australia Responsibilities and Protection Act Environment procedures for site All activities onsite must Tilt and 1993 (SA) (EP Protection management to protect comply with the EP Act. Contractors Act) Authority the environment
Clearance of native Minister for vegetation (including major pruning) is prohibited unless Native Environment and approved by the Native Vegetation Act Heritage Native Vegetation Vegetation Council (NVC) (or N/A 1991 (SA) Clearance formal Department of delegate) under a Standard (Native approval Environment, Operating Procedure or an Vegetation Act) Water and Natural approved Management Plan Resources according to the level of impact.
Department of Environment, Water and Natural Natural Resources A permit to undertake a Resource Permit to undertake a Northern and water affecting activity is not Management Section 147 – Water N/A Yorke (N&Y) expected to be required for Act 1994 (SA) affecting activity Natural Resource this Project. (NRM Act) Management (NRM) Board and Natural Resources N&Y
Determination on the Environment Minister for the proposals status If Based on the flora and fauna Protection and Environment (Cth) designated a controlled species identified at the site Biodiversity action, approval for during the Flora and Fauna N/A Department of the Conservation actions that may impact Assessment, a referral and Act 1999 (Cth) Environment and on matter of national subsequent approval is not (EPBC Act) Energy environmental considered necessary. significance is required.
Roads (Opening Minister for Closure of public roads is not Approval for the closure and Closing) Act Transport expected to be necessary for N/A of public roads. 1991 (SA) DPTI this Project.
Construction Contractor/traffic Road diversions, control company Minister for closures and traffic Where necessary, approval Road Traffic Act Transport control will need to be for diversion and traffic Prior to road 1961 (SA) undertaken in control will be obtained from closure, DPTI accordance with the DPTI. diversions and provisions of this Act. traffic control.
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Type of Relevant Approval Approval/consideration Responsibility approval/legislative legislation authority notes and Timing considerations Climate Change The Project will involve the and Greenhouse This legislation use of non-renewable Emissions identifies greenhouse Not applicable materials and energy N/A Reduction Act gas emission reduction consumption during 2007 (SA) targets. construction.
2.1 Management Responsibilities and General Duties The Project will be undertaken in a manner that addresses the requirements of the Environment Protection Act (1993) general environmental duty, specifically: A person must not undertake an activity that pollutes, or might pollute, the environment unless the person takes all reasonable and practicable measures to prevent or minimise any resulting environmental harm. Table 2 identifies the key stakeholders for the project, their representative(s) and the respective roles and responsibilities. Table 2: Project responsibilities Contact Stakeholder Role Responsibilities details ▪ Overarching responsibility for the project
Principal – ▪ Site inspections and auditing of site works against To be Tilt Principal the CEMP to ensure appropriate measures are confirmed Renewables Site Owner implemented
▪ Management of Stakeholder engagement
▪ Delivery of the construction of the Project ▪ Engaging contractors to implement the works Project To be Manager ▪ Control of site operations confirmed ▪ Manager for the purpose of ensuring overall works compliance with the CEMP Construction Contractor ▪ Ensuring compliance to requirements of this CEMF and creating a CEMP To be Environmental ▪ Undertaking the required monitoring and reporting confirmed Manager ▪ Responding where mitigating measures are not adequate or where the CEMF requires amendments.
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2.2 Training and Awareness 2.2.1 Inductions Prior to commencement on site, all project personnel will undergo a Site Induction covering awareness of quality, safety, site rules and administration; and environmental issues and measures specific to this project. Part of the induction will relate to the CEMP and may include, but not be limited to: Purpose, objective and key issues of the CEMP Conditions of environmental licences, permits and approvals Emergency response procedures and reporting processes for environmental incidents Site-specific issues such as location of refuse bins, refuelling and maintenance of vehicles, plant and equipment Weed identification and practices to minimise the spread of weeds Aboriginal heritage issues, including identification of heritage sites and procedures for discovery of heritage sites Management of dust from construction activities Management of construction noise and vibrations, particularly during night works Contamination management procedure Protection of specific flora and/or fauna including management requirement Soil erosion and drainage management measures. Induction records will be kept to confirm that all relevant personnel have been appropriately inducted. Inductions will be updated as required, i.e. when significant changes occur on site or within the environmental management framework of the project. 2.2.2 Pre-Starts and Toolbox Talks In addition to the site inductions, pre-start talks will be undertaken at the beginning of each day (before work commences). Environmental issues will be raised and discussed at these meetings, as required.
Records of Toolbox talks and the issues discussed will be retained.
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2.3 Emergency Contacts
Organisation Contact Details Tilt Renewables TBA Construction Contractor TBA CFS - Snowtown (08) 8865 2405 Natural Resource Centre- Clare (08) 8841 3400 Wildlife hotline (08) 8289 0896 Environment Protection Authority (08) 8204 2004 AAPT/Power Tel 1800 786 306 APA SA 1800 427 532 NBN Co SA/NT 1800 626 762 Nextgen NCC-SA 1800 032 532 Optus and/or Uecomm SA 1800 505 777 Underground PIPE Networks SA 1800 201 100 Services SA Power Networks 131 366 SA Water (08) 7424 1117 SEA Gas 1800 103 542 Telstra SANT Submit Form via DB4YD website Vocus Communications 1800 262 663
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3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 3.1 Key Environmental Aspects
This CEMF provides strategies for the management of potential impacts associated with the construction phase of the project. The CEMF strategies address the following environmental aspects: Flora and fauna (Section 3.2.1) Water quality including soil erosion and drainage management (Section 3.2.2) Air quality, noise and vibration (Section 3.2.3) Contamination (soil, groundwater and potential acid sulphate soils) (Section 3.2.4) Heritage (Section 3.2.5 and 3.2.6) Waste management (Section 3.2.7). Emergency response planning will be addressed under Project Environmental Health and Safety documentation. 3.2 Management Strategies 3.2.1 Flora and fauna The impacts to flora and fauna were assessed by EBS Ecology, based on the proposed site layout. As the Project site is within existing cropping land, the removal of native vegetation is not required to accommodate the proposed site layout. There are some native grasses present along the roadsides surrounding the site and access/egress points will be designed to avoid these areas. A number of declared plants under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 have been identified at the site including Bathurst Burr, Salvation Jane and Horehound. Tables 3, 4 and 5 outline potential impacts to native vegetation and fauna, as well as those associated with weeds and pests, as a result of the construction activities and mitigating measures to minimise these impacts. Table 3: Native vegetation management Aspect Clarification
Minimise adverse impacts to existing native vegetation Environmental Objectives Comply with the Native Vegetation Act 1991 relating to vegetation management Destruction and disturbance of existing native vegetation from construction Potential Impacts activities ▪ Induct all site personnel to provide an understanding of the relevant vegetation protection issues i.e. protection of native grasses along roadsides.
▪ Restrict vehicle movement to defined tracks and access/egress points
Mitigation Measures ▪ Minimise vehicle movement and machinery disturbance within and around retained vegetation.
▪ Appropriate approvals to be sought prior to any vegetation removal and/or major pruning, if required. Vegetation pruning and removal is to be carried out by an appropriately qualified Arborist in accordance with Australian Standard 4373: Pruning of Amenity Trees.
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Table 4: Fauna management Aspect Clarification
Environmental Minimise adverse impacts to fauna and habitats. Objectives ▪ Destruction and disturbance of fauna habitats
Potential Impacts ▪ Increased potential for collision with vehicles due to increased traffic in the site area.
▪ Induct all site personnel to provide an understanding of the fauna potentially present including important fauna habitat (i.e. native grassland), and measures to minimise adverse impacts on fauna
▪ Minimise vehicle movement and machinery disturbance within and around Mitigation Measures retained vegetation ▪ Dedicate vehicle movement to defined tracks ▪ Contact the relevant authority in the event of encountering trapped or injured fauna.
Table 5: Weed and pest management Aspect Clarification
Environmental Prevent the spread of pest plants and animals. Objectives Comply with the NRM Act relating to vegetation management. Spread of weeds through Project activities including excavation and traffic movement. Potential Impacts Site-based waste attracting pest animals.
▪ Induct all site personnel to provide an understanding of the declared plants present onsite and requirements of the NRM Act
▪ Movement, control and destruction of declared plants to be in accordance with the NRM Act. This includes obtaining appropriate approvals prior to transporting declared plants on public roads.
▪ Ensure imported fill is clean and free of weed propagules Mitigation Measures ▪ Restrict vehicle access to defined tracks and access/egress points
▪ Manage entry/exit point (i.e. using a rumble pad) so that site soils (potentially containing weed propagules) are not tracked to or from the site.
▪ Ensure waste is appropriately stored to discourage pest animals. This includes covering putrescible and organic storages associated with crib rooms and offices.
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3.2.2 Soil erosion and drainage management A Stormwater Strategy has been developed by WGA to manage stormwater and will be incorporated into the site layout. It is not expected that runoff from the construction site will have a significant impact on any surface water drainage pathways. However, to mitigate any potential impacts associated with construction of the detention basin, the solar facility or the operations and maintenance facility, the management measures listed in Table 6 should be implemented during construction. Table 6: Soil erosion and drainage management Aspect Clarification
Environmental Minimise erosion of soils and protect surface water drainage pathways. Objectives Increased erosion due to soil cover disturbance and changes to surface water Potential Impacts flow patterns.
▪ Induct all site personnel to provide an understanding of the issues associated with erosion and drainage and the management strategies in place
▪ Progressive clearance of vegetation so that there is a minimal amount of exposed earth across the site at any one time
▪ Progressive stabilisation of soil and areas disturbed by earthworks using vegetation (hydro seeding), matting and various other techniques
▪ Soil to be stockpiled away from drainage pathways
▪ Stockpiles that are not being actively used to be stabilised using hydromulch (or equivalent)
▪ Treatment measures such as sediment fences, silt socks and temporary Mitigation Measures swales and basins placed and utilised to manage erosion and drainage. These should be used in sequence where sediment loads are expected to be high
▪ Prevent contaminants including waste, fuels, sediment and other potentially contaminated runoff from entering surface water drainage pathways using measures including containment, bunding, cover, separation buffers and spill response and clean up contingencies
▪ Control the entry and exit of stormwater runoff from work areas including to divert clean stormwater away from and around materials storage areas
▪ Stop work in the event of encountering potentially contaminated soil and reassess site drainage to ensure sediments from potentially contaminated soils are contained.
3.2.3 Air quality, noise and vibration The Project activities are not expected to have a significant adverse impact on air quality. Dust levels are likely to increase as a result of construction and may have a minor impact on residents in close proximity to the site. Operation of construction plant and machinery will cause a noticeable level of noise during construction activities, which may have a minor impact on the residents in close proximity to the Project site.
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Vibration impacts are expected to be minor. Engagement with local community, in particular the residents in close proximity to the Project site, is planned prior to starting and during construction works. Table 7 outlines the potential impacts to air quality as a result of Project construction activities and measures to minimise these impacts. Table 8 summarises the potential impacts as a result of the increase in noise and vibration and mitigating measures to minimise these impacts. Table 7: Air quality management Aspect Clarification
Minimise impacts to air quality such as dust, vehicle emissions and odours. Environmental Objectives Comply with the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure 1998 and SA EPA guidance. Increased levels of dust generated during Project activities. Potential Impacts Increased level of vehicle emission and particles by plant machinery.
▪ Induct all site personnel to provide an understanding of the issues associated with air quality management and the mitigating strategies in place
▪ Maintain all plant machinery and equipment for efficient operation and minimise engine idle times and queuing
▪ Designated vehicle access routes and protocols to be determined and communicated to all contractors
▪ Covering or wetting-down soil and construction material stockpiles to minimise dust mobilisation
▪ Stop work in areas where construction activities are generating Mitigation Measures unacceptable levels of dust ▪ Minimise use of on-site cutting and grinding. Where used, employ equipment and techniques such as dust extractors and surface wetting to minimise dust. Consider use of specific plant such as wet cutting saws, vacuum extraction or block/slab splitters
▪ Regularly water exposed surfaces, including exposed stockpiles and unsealed roadways, or seal high use access tracks to suppress dust generation
▪ All truck loads to be covered prior to leaving site ▪ Maintain transparent communication lines for community members to contact the Construction Manager (or delegate).
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Table 8: Noise and vibration management Aspect Clarification
Comply with the Environment Protection (Noise) Policy 2007, SA EPA Environmental guidance for the construction industry and general environmental duty of care Objectives regarding construction noise. Comply with legislative and regulated construction vibration levels. Increase in noise and vibration causing nuisance to residences in close proximity to the site. Noise and vibration outside of normal construction hours (night works) causing Potential Impacts nuisance to businesses in close proximity to the site. Potential structural damage to buildings in close proximity to the site due to increased vibration from construction machinery.
▪ Induct all site personnel to provide an understanding of the issues associated with noise and vibration management and the mitigating strategies in place
▪ Ensure EPA approvals for night works are obtained if required ▪ Conduct property condition surveys where requested prior to and after construction activities to manage potential impacts from construction vibration
▪ Machinery at the site to operate in accordance with relevant sections of the SA Environment Protection (Noise) Policy 2007 and the SA EPA Noise Information Sheet (2014) Mitigation Measures ▪ Proactive noise control strategies if required, such as shielding for compressors, power generators and other fixed plant; and temporary acoustic barriers or enclosures
▪ Substitution of alternative construction processes if excessive noise or vibration is produced
▪ Truck movements to be limited to the designated freight route ▪ All vehicles and equipment will be appropriately serviced and maintained
▪ Ongoing communication with the community regarding times of excessive noise or vibration if required.
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3.2.4 Contamination management procedures Based on the historical use of the site for broad acre farming, the risk of encountering contaminated material is considered to be low. Surplus soils requiring offsite disposal are not expected. Based on the expected depth to groundwater (>30 m below ground level), there will be no interaction with groundwater during Project activities. Groundwater has not been discussed further in this CEMF. Table 9 outlines the potential impacts associated with soil contamination as a result of Project activities and measures to minimise these impacts. Table 9: Contamination management Aspect Clarification
Comply with Environment Protection Act 1993 and relevant SA EPA Environmental Guidelines. Objectives Minimise adverse impacts to soil as a result of contamination. Contaminated soil mixing with ‘clean’ soil, further contaminating the site. Illegal disposal of contaminated material. Potential Impacts Stockpiled contaminated soil becoming airborne. Contaminated soil entering surface water drainage pathways.
▪ Induct all site personnel to provide an understanding of the issues associated with contamination management and the mitigating strategies in place
▪ Mixing of soil types to be avoided (i.e. contaminated/non-contaminated)
▪ Any material removed from the site to landfill, or for reuse at another site, will be done so in accordance with SA EPA regulatory requirements such as a Waste Soil Assessment on surplus soils
▪ Only clean materials will be imported to the site Mitigation Measures ▪ Any soil or other material spilled onto roadways having originated from vehicles to be removed
▪ Ensure the contingency plan for encountering contaminated material is followed, as described in Section 3.2.4.1
▪ Erosion and sedimentation controls to be put in place, as described in Section 3.2.2
▪ Air quality controls to be put in place, as described in Section 3.2.3.
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3.2.4.1 Contamination contingency plan Although it would be unexpected, it is possible that contaminated soil may be encountered during excavation. Indicators of contamination could include, but are not limited to: Odorous or discoloured soils Large inclusions such as brick or bitumen Buried infrastructure such as oil filled cables/pipe Potential asbestos containing material. In the event of encountering potentially contaminated soil, the following contingency plan will be initiated: 1) Stop Work: work in the area of the potentially contaminated material shall cease, the area will be isolated and made safe. 2) Communicate: the Project Manager is to be contacted and the Principal is to be notified. 3) Assessment: a suitably qualified Contamination Consultant will attend the site within 24 hours to undertake assessment. 4) Temporary Management: subject to the nature of the material, the assessment required and turnaround of findings, the following options can be considered for temporary management of the material: Segregate: segregate the area of the material, including bunting off from the remainder of the work area, with no further Project work in this defined area until the material is classified and direction is provided from the Project Manager. Stockpile onsite: excavation of the unclassified material under the direction of the Contamination Consultant, with appropriate and segregated temporary stockpiling in a designated area onsite. Where the contamination status is unknown, material must be stockpiled on a sealed surface or an appropriate barrier (i.e. plastic sheeting) to ensure underlying soils are not impacted. Dispose offsite: excavation of the unclassified material and immediate disposal to an off-site licensed waste facility. Approval for immediate disposal and assessment of materials at the waste facility must be sought prior to transport and disposal. 5) Validation: validation of the excavation may also be required to confirm that all contaminated material has been appropriately delineated and managed. The requirement for validation will be advised by the Contamination Consultant. 6) Permanent Management: Following assessment of the material, final management will constitute one of the following options: Onsite reuse: Where materials are found to be contaminated, there may be options for onsite reuse in restricted areas. Where materials are not contaminated, they may be reused onsite without restriction. Offsite reuse as Waste Derived Fill (WDF): Depending on the contamination status of the material, it may be reused offsite in accordance with the requirements of the SA EPA Standard for the Production and Re-use of Waste Derived Fill. Disposal to landfill or treatment facility: materials assessed to be unsuitable for reuse, or those surplus to the reuse requirements of the project will require disposal at a licensed landfill facility. 7) Track Material: the source, nature, assessment and final location of all potentially contaminated material will be recorded and provided to the Principal.
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3.2.5 Aboriginal heritage Based on the site having been regularly cultivated, the Project site and construction activities are considered to be low risk in relation to Aboriginal heritage. Tilt will continue to work with the Adjahdura Narungga Heritage Group (ANHG) to ensure all Aboriginal heritage protection measures are included in the CEMP and the site inductions. Table 10 outlines the potential impacts to Aboriginal and heritage as a result of Project activities and measures to minimise these impacts. Table 10: Aboriginal heritage management Aspect Clarification
Environmental Minimise impacts to Aboriginal sites. Objectives Comply with the South Australian Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988.
Potential Impacts Disturbance of Aboriginal sites or objects within the project site. ▪ Site personnel to be inducted to the site, including providing an understanding of the cultural heritage considerations associated with the project, including examples of indications of potential cultural significance
▪ If suspected Aboriginal heritage items, including stone artefacts, hearths or burials are exposed during excavations, work will stop immediately and the Principal and the Heritage Consultant will be contacted. Mitigation Measures ▪ Works must cease until direction has been provided by the Heritage Consultant, Adjahdura Narungga Heritage Group and/or appropriate authorities.
▪ If human skeletal remains are found, these must be immediately reported to the Snowtown Police Station and Division of State Aboriginal Affairs (if suspected to be of Aboriginal origin).
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3.2.6 Waste management A variety of wastes, both potentially hazardous and non-hazardous and including general refuse, may be produced during construction activities. The waste hierarchy will be implemented during all construction activities at the site, as practicable. Table 11 outlines the potential impacts of waste as a result of Project activities and measures to minimise these impacts.
Table 11: Waste management Aspect Clarification
Prevent negative environmental impacts associated with construction waste. Environmental Prevent waste from impacting on land and surface water. Objectives Comply with Environment Protection Act 1993 and relevant SA EPA Guidelines. Inappropriate storage and disposal of waste impacting on land and surface water. Potential Impacts Accumulation of pest animals.
▪ Site personnel inductions to include appropriate storage (including separation) and disposal/recycling of waste
▪ Work areas to be maintained in a neat and orderly manner
Mitigation Measures ▪ Waste will be disposed of regularly by the persons/organisation undertaking the activities, with appropriate signage and separation of hard organic material from putrescible organic material. Off-site waste disposal will be in accordance with SA EPA and Zero Waste SA guidelines/requirements.
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4.0 MONITORING, REPORTING AND REVIEW 4.1 Reporting, inspections and auditing Reporting requirements, site inspections and any audits of compliance with a CEMP will be in accordance with Tilt’s requirements.
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5.0 SUMMARY OF DOCUMENTS AND APPROVALS Table 12 outlines the external approvals and permits required to facilitate the construction activities. Table 12: External approvals and permits
Approval Applicable
Native Vegetation No Development Approval Yes Water Affecting Activities Permit No EPA Licences No Native Title Notification No Local Government Consulted Yes EPBC Referral No Aboriginal Heritage No Local, State or National Heritage Approval No Consultation with NRM Board (if transporting plants declared under No Part 175 of NRM Act) Notification of construction works to residences Yes Advanced notice of roadworks to motorists Yes
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Report Signature Page
GOLDER ASSOCIATES PTY LTD
Hannah Keynes Lissa van Camp Environmental Scientist Principal Environmental Consultant
HK/LvC/jd
A.B.N. 64 006 107 857
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SNOWTOWN NORTH SOLAR FARM- PLANNING REPORT
APPENDIX F Initial Risk Assessment
23 November 2017 Report No. 1671306-006-R-Rev4
Environment Risk Assessment- Tilt Renewables Snowtown Solar Definitions
Likelihood Almost certain The event is expected to occur Likely The event will probably occur Possible The event may occur occasionally; occurance would not be unusual Unlikely The event is unlikely to occur Rare The event may only occur in exceptional circumstances Consequence Severe Long term, significant damage or impact on environmental systems and local community Major Significant damage or impact on environmental systems and local community Moderate Measureable adverse environmental or social impact; will result in temporary annoyance or nuisance to community Minor Short term, minor adverse social or environmental impact Insignificant The presence of the hazard will not result in adverse social or environmental impact
Risk Assessment Matrix
Consequence Likelihood Insignificant Minor Moderate Major Severe Almost certain Medium High High Extreme Extreme Likely Medium Medium High High Extreme Possible Low Medium Medium High Extreme Unlikely Low Medium Medium Medium High Rare Low Low Medium Medium High Aspect Potential Impacts Likelihood Consequence Risk Actions Comments
Construction
Disruption of ecosystem through permanent removal of vegetation for construction Possible Minor Medium
Disruption of ecosystem through permanent removal of vegetation protected by the EPBC Act (Commonwealth) Unlikely Minor Medium
Disruption of ecosystem through permanent removal of vegetation protected by the Native Vegetation Act (State) Possible Minor Medium Likely removal of native vegetation in road verges at access points only
Disruption of ecosystem through temporary disruption of vegetation during construction (i.e. access to site) Likely Minor Medium
Changes to ecosystem through introduction and spread of weeds due to soil disturbance and increased traffic on site Possible Minor Medium
Operation Flora Changes to ecosystems due to microclimate impacts under the solar modules (including shading, temperature and Possible Moderate Medium humidity changes)
Changes to vegetation type due to land use change (grazing) Likely Insignificant Medium
Decommission Disruption of established ecosystem through permanent removal of vegetation protected by the EPBC Act Unlikely Insignificant Low (Commonwealth) during decommission Disruption of established ecosystem through permanent removal of vegetation protected by the Native Vegetation Possible Insignificant Low Act (State) during decommission
Temporary disruption of established ecosystem through decommissioning activities (i.e. access to site) Likely Minor Medium Flora and Fauna Survey to be undertaken to Changes to ecosystem through introduction and spread of weeds due to soil disturbance and increased traffic on site Possible Minor Medium determine significance of flora and fauna on site and provide input for design considerations. Construction Appropriate approvals to be obtained prior to site Biodiversity Disruption of habitats supporting fauna protected by the EPBC Act during construction (including noise, light, work. Management/protection Possible Minor Medium vibration) measures to be outlined in the Environmental Management Plan for construction and Likely disruption of habitat in road verges at access points only Disruption of habitats supporting other fauna Likely Insignificant Low decommission.
Injury due to vehicle collision Possible Minor Medium
Introduction of pest animals as a result of construction activities Rare Insignificant Low Activities not likely to increase the number of pest animals
Operation
Long term displacement of fauna protected by the EPBC Act due to removal of habitats Possible Minor Medium Based on minimal native vegetation removal, displacement is likely to be temporary as fauna can return following construction phase Fauna Long term displacement of other fauna due to removal of habitats Possible Minor Medium
Injury due to vehicle collision Unlikely Minor Medium
Introduction of pest animals as a result of site operation Not Applicable Activities not likely to increase the number of pest animals
Decommission Disruption of habitats supporting fauna protected by the EPBC Act during decommission (including noise, light, Possible Minor Medium vibration)
Disruption of habitats supporting other fauna during decommission (including noise, light, vibration) Likely Insignificant Low
Injury due to vehicle collision Possible Minor Medium
Introduction of pest animals as a result of construction activities Rare Insignificant Low Activities not likely to increase the number of pest animals
Construction
Disturbance of area of significance for local artefacts through construction Possible Major High
Disturbance of area of spiritual significant through construction Possible Major High
Operation Heritage Survey to be undertaken to determine actual likelihood and significance. Appropriate Not Applicable approvals to be obtained prior to site work. Aboriginal heritage Disturbance of area of significance for local artefacts through operation Management/protection measures to be outlined in Unlikely as no further excavation or encroachment of land following contruction phase the Environmental Management Plan for Disturbance of area of spiritual significant through operation Not Applicable construction and decommission.
Decommission
Heritage Disturbance of area of significance for local artefacts through decommission Rare Major Medium
Unlikely as no further excavation or encroachment of land following construction and Disturbance of area of spiritual significant through decommission Not Applicable operational phases Construction
Disturbance of heritage areas through construction activities Not Applicable
Operation
Non-aboriginal heritage Disturbance of heritage areas through operational activities Not Applicable No heritage listed areas within approximately 10 km of the site.
Decommission
Disturbance of heritage areas through decommission Not Applicable Construction Surface Water Strategy to be developed for management of surface water drainage. Pollution controls and procedures to be included in the Pollution of groundwater through construction activities Rare Moderate Medium Environmental Management Plan for construction Unlikely to be significant contamination sources associated with site works. and decommission
Vertical disruption of aquifers during construction activities Not Applicable Groundwater expected to be at depth (i.e. 30 m). Deep excavation is not expected Operation Groundwater Pollution of groundwater through operational activities Not Applicable Unlikely to be any source of contamination during operational phase
Decommission
Pollution controls and procedures to be included in Pollution of groundwater through decommissioning activities Rare Moderate Medium the Environmental Management Plan for Unlikely to be significant contamination sources associated with site works. construction and decommission
Vertical disruption of aquifers during decommissioning activities Not Applicable Decommissioning activities are not expected to impact on groundwater.
Construction
Pollution of surface water from construction activities Unlikely Minor Medium Unlikely to be significant contamination sources associated with construction activities
Disruption of surface water drainage patterns through construction activities Likely Minor Medium Water Increase in soil erosion as a result of construction activities Possible Minor Medium Sites have flat topography so erosion and significant runoff is likely to be minor and during very high rainfall only Increase in sediment entering surface water as a result of construction activities Possible Minor Medium
Operation
Pollution of surface water from operational activities Not Applicable Surface Water Strategy to be developed for Unlikely to be any source of contamination during operational phase management of surface water drainage. Appropriate Permanent changes to surface water drainage patterns due to infrastructure onsite and operational activities Likely Minor Medium waste management, contamination prevention and sediment, erosion and drainange management plans Surface water to be included in the environmental management Increase in soil erosion as a result of operational activities Rare Minor Low plan for construction and decommission. Permanent drainage patterns to be considered in the Increase in sediment entering surface water as a result of operational activities Rare Minor Low design of the project Decommission
Pollution of surface water from decommissioning activities Unlikely Minor Medium Unlikely to be significant contamination sources associated with decomission activities
Disruption of surface water drainage patterns through decomissioning activities Possible Minor Medium
Increase in soil erosion as a result of decommissioning activities Possible Minor Medium
Increase in sediment entering surface water as a result of decommissioning activities Possible Minor Medium
Construction
Increase in noise during construction disrupting fauna Unlikely Minor Medium Construction noise is expected to be minor and temporary
Increase in noise during construction disrupting residents Unlikely Minor Medium Construction noise is likely to be minor, temporary and during regular working hours
Increase in noise during construction disrupting sensitive receptors Not Applicable No sensitive receptors present in close proximity
Vibration during construction disrupting fauna, residents and/or sensitive receptors Not Applicable Not likely to be an increase in vibration levels
Operation
Permanent increase in noise disrupting fauna and/or residents Not Applicable Noise levels as a result of operation will be negligible
Environmental management plan including noise and Noise and Vibration Permanent increase in noise disrupting sensitive receptors Not Applicable vibration management No sensitive receptors present in close proximity
Vibration during construction disrupting fauna, residents and/or sensitive receptors Not Applicable Not likely to be an increase in vibration levels
Decommission
Increase in noise during decommissioning disrupting fauna Unlikely Minor Medium Noise associated with decommissioning is expected to be minor and temporary
Noise associated with deommissioning is likely to be minor, temporary and during regular Increase in noise during decommissioning disrupting residents Unlikely Minor Medium working hours
Increase in noise during decommissioning disrupting sensitive receptors Not Applicable No sensitive receptors present in close proximity
Vibration during construction disrupting fauna, residents and/or sensitive receptors Not Applicable Not likely to be an increase in vibration levels Construction
Topsoil stripping during land preparation removing seed bank and hummic material Possible Insignificant Low Land has been previously regularly cultivated
Operation
Site Preparation Topsoil stripping during land preparation removing seed bank and hummic material Not Applicable No further topsoil stripping during operation
Decommission
Topsoil stripping prior to deommissioning removing seed bank and hummic material Unlikely Insignificant Low Land has been previously regularly cultivated
Construction
Disruption of landscape character during construction Possible Insignificant Low
View from highway is largely screened with vegetation, activities not expected to be of Change of experience for highway users during construction Not Applicable concern for highway users
Operation
Disruption of landscape character during operation Possible Insignificant Low Impacts to visual amenity will be further investigated Landscape character and screening with vegetation installed if required Very limited areas of the site will be visible during operation and unlikely to be of concern Change of experience for highway users during operation Not Applicable to highway users
Decommission
Visual Amenity Disruption of landscape character following decommissioning Rare Insignificant Low
View from highway is largely screened with vegetation, activities not expected to be of Change of experience for highway users during decommissioning Not Applicable concern for highway users
Construction
Glare and reflectivity impacts to drivers on public roads during construction Rare Insignificant Low
Operation
Glare/Reflectivity Glare and reflectivity impacts to drivers on public roads during operation Not Applicable Solar panels are designed to absorb sunlight, not reflect
Decommission
Glare and reflectivity impacts to drivers on public roads during decomissioning activities Rare Insignificant Low
Construction
Air quality management to be included in the Decrease in air quality due to dust generated during construction, impacting on residents or fauna Unlikely Minor Medium Environmental Management Plan for construction Impacts on dust levels are expected to be minor and temporary only. and decommission
Decrease in air quality due to dust generated during construction, impacting on sensitive receptors Not Applicable No sensitive receptors present in close proximity
Operation Dust levels will be monitored and appropriate Long term decrease in air quality due to dust generated by the land use change, impacting on residents or fauna Unlikely Minor Medium controls (i.e revegetating topsoil) put in place if an Air quality issue is detected
Decrease in air quality due to dust generated during by the land use change, impacting on sensitive receptors Not Applicable No sensitive receptors present in close proximity
Decommission
Air quality management to be included in the Decrease in air quality due to dust generated during decommissioning, impacting on residents Unlikely Minor Medium Environmental Management Plan for construction Impacts on dust levels are expected to be minor and temporary only. and decommission
Decrease in air quality due to dust generated during decommissioning, impacting on sensitive receptors Not Applicable No sensitive receptors present in close proximity
Construction
Degredation of public infrastructure (regional roads) due to increased traffic and heavy loads during construction Rare Minor Low
Degredation of public infrastructure (local roads) due to increased traffic and heavy loads as a results of Unlikely Moderate Medium decommissionnig activities Traffic Impact and Route Assessment commissioned Roads Operation to inform appropriate route and potential impacts. Minor amount of traffic during operation is not likely to be greater than current regional Degredation of public infrastructure (reginal and local roads) due to increased traffic and heavy loads during operation Not Applicable traffic Decommission Degredation of public infrastructure (regional roads) due to increased traffic and heavy loads as a results of Rare Minor Low decommissionnig activities Degredation of public infrastructure (local roads) due to increased traffic and heavy loads as a results of Unlikely Moderate Medium decommissionnig activities Construction
Infrastructure Increase in traffic causing nuisance to community during construction Unlikely Minor Medium
Community to be kept informed on Traffic Operation construciton/decomissioning activities Increase in traffic causing nuisance to community during operation Rare Insignificant Low
Decommission
Increase in traffic causing nuisance to community during decommissioning Unlikely Moderate Medium Construction
Removal of fences for site access during construction Possible Insignificant Low Operation Fence will be upgraded after construction and Fences Removal of fences for site access during operation Not Applicable decommission (as agreed with the landholders) Decommission
Removal of fences for site access as a result of decomissioning activities Possible Insignificant Low Construction
Loss of agricultural production during construction Almost certain Insignificant Medium
Disruption of surrounding land use (i.e. cropping during harvest) Possible Insignificant Low
Operation
Land use restrictions and options to be agreed with Land use Loss of agricultural production during operation Almost certain Insignificant Medium relevant stakeholders Disruption of surrounding land use (i.e. cropping during harvest) Not Applicable Operation of solar plant is unlikely to interrupt surrounding land uses
Decommission
Loss of agricultural production during decommission Not Applicable Decommissioning will result in an increase in agricultural production
Disruption of surrounding land use (i.e. cropping during harvest) Possible Insignificant Low
Construction
Increase in generation of waste during construction Likely Insignificant Medium
Operation Waste storage and disposal requirements to be Waste included in the Environmental Management Plan for Increase in generation of waste as a result of operational activities Possible Insignificant Low construction and decommissioning Decommission
Increase in generation of waste during decommissioning Likely Insignificant Medium
Construction
Impact to local water resources due to project water requirements during construction (i.e. for dust suppression) Possible Insignificant Low Operation Water Use Reticulated water to be used for dust suppression Impact to local water resources due to operational water requirements Not Applicable Operation of the solar plant will not require a significant amount of water Decommission
Impact to local water resources due to project water requirements during decommission (i.e. for dust suppression) Possible Insignificant Low
Waste Management and Construction Resource Use Contamination of site soils due to excavation of contamination soil Not Applicable
Contamination of site soils due to construction activities Rare Minor Low Precautions to avoid soil contamination will be Site Contamination Operation included in the Environmental Management Plan for Unlikely to be soil contamination at the site based on historical agricultural land use construction and decommissioning. Contamination of site soils as a result of site operations Not Applicable Decommission
Contamination of site soils during site decommissioning Rare Minor Low Construction
Increased greenhouse gas emmissions as a result of construction activities (i.e. fossil fuel use and electricity) Almost certain Insignificant Medium
Operation Greenhouse gas reduction measures will be included Use of fossil fuels and electricity is unavoidable for the project. Based on the objective of Greenhouse gas emissions Increased greenhouse gas emmissions as a result of site operation (i.e. fossil fuel use and electricity) Likely Insignificant Medium in the Environmental Management Plan. the project (providing renewable energy), this is considered acceptable.
Decommission
Increased greenhouse gas emmissions as a result of decommissioning activities (i.e. fossil fuel use and electricity) Almost certain Insignificant Medium
Construction
Risk to public safety during construction Not Applicable Operation Construction, operation and decommission unlikely to pose a risk to public safety based on Public Safety Risk to public safety during operation Not Applicable location of site and lack of major hazards associated with solar farms Decommission
Risk to public safety during decommissioning Not Applicable Construction
Risk of fire as a result of construction activities Unlikely Severe High Bushfire prevention measures to be included in the Prevention measures to be stringently followed Environmental Management Plan for construction Operation and decommission. Emergency Response Plan to be Bushfire Risk of fire during operation Rare Severe High developed in consultation with CFS for construction, operation and decommissioning. Fire risk to be Decommission considered in design and selection of infrastructure. Risk of fire as a result of decommissioning activities Unlikely Severe High Prevention measures to be stringently followed
Golder Associates Pty Ltd 118 Franklin Street Adelaide, South Australia 5000 Australia T: +61 8 8213 2100