Native Vegetation Clearance Joy Baluch AM Bridge Duplication Data
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Native Vegetation Clearance Joy Baluch AM Bridge Duplication Data Report Clearance under the Native Vegetation Regulations 2017 July 2020 Prepared by Jeremy Tiller Page 1 of 43 Document Control: Project: Native Vegetation Clearance Assessment Data Report: Joy Baluch AM Bridge Duplication Client: Port Wakefield to Port Augusta Alliance Document Number: PW2PA_002 Version: 1.0 Issue: Draft Author: Jeremy Tiller Media: Electronic Issued to: Rebecca Giles - Environment and Sustainability Manager Dylan Gordge – Environmental Officer Disclaimer and limitations: In compiling this report, the author has relied upon certain information and data provided by the client and other external sources. Where such information and data has been used, it has been assumed the information is correct unless otherwise stated. No responsibility is accepted by Jeremy Tiller for incomplete or inaccurate information and data provided by others. Any assessment made in this document are based solely on the information and data provided by published sources, the client and the existence of conditions and information made at the time of the site assessment and investigation. No warranty and guarantee, either expressed or implied, is made with respect to the information and data reported or to the findings, observations and conclusions expressed in this report. This report has been prepared on the behalf of and for the exclusive use of the client, and is subject to and issued in connection with the provisions of the agreement between Jeremy Tiller and the client. Jeremy Tiller accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for or in respect of any use or reliance upon this report by any third party. Cover photograph: Avicennia marina ssp. marina Very Low Closed Forest and the existing Joy Baluch AM Bridge (photo supplied by Matt Launer). Page 2 of 43 Table of contents 1. Application information ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 2. Purpose of clearance ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 3. Method .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 4. Assessment Outcomes ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 5. Clearance summary ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 36 6. Significant Environmental Benefit ................................................................................................................................................................. 36 7. Appendices............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 38 Page 3 of 43 1. Application information Application Details Applicant: CPB Contractors CPB Contractors is the Head Contractor and member of the Port Wakefield to Port Augusta Alliance, which is contracted by the Commissioner of Highways for the construction of the Joy Baluch AM Bridge Duplication in Port Augusta. Key contact: Dylan Gordge Ph: 0419 421 867 Email: [email protected] Landowner: The Commissioner of Highways. Note: The Commissioner is in the process of finalising acquisition of the land for the project. Site Address: The project footprint impacts the road corridors of Princes Highway, Flinders Terrace, Langsford Street, Miller Ave, MacKay Street, Mill Street, Tassie Street and Burgoyne Street in the suburbs of Port Augusta and Port Augusta West. Multiple properties adjacent to these roads will also be impacted during the project. Local Government Port Augusta City Council Hundred: Davenport and Copley Area: Title ID: CT/5996/493 Parcel ID F186314 A612 CT/5996/497 F186315 A613 CR/5956/236 D67521 A2 CT/6043/839 D76828 A74 CT/6043/838 D76828 A73 CT/5786/34 D30648 A14 CR/5759/886 T330601 A114 Summary of proposed clearance Purpose of clearance Clearance is required to facilitate the development of the Joy Baluch AM Bridge Duplication Project. Native Vegetation Regulation Regulation 12(32) – Works on behalf of Commissioner of Highways Description of the vegetation • 0.935 ha of previously cleared sites with scattered native understorey species under application in poor condition. • 0.149 ha of Sarcocornia quinqueflora Low Closed Shrubland in good condition. • 0.085 ha of Avicennia marina ssp. marina Very Low Closed Forest in good condition. • 0.026 ha Avicennia marina ssp. marina Very Low woodland in good condition. • Potentially 0.0052 ha of seagrass meadows. Total proposed clearance - 1.195 ha are proposed to be cleared. area (ha) and number of trees Maximum of 0.0052 ha of seagrass meadows (seeking ‘in principle consent to clear’ with total impact depending on site assessment outcomes). Level of clearance Level 4 Page 4 of 43 Map of proposed clearance areas Mitigation hierarchy Project initiatives and measure to avoid impacts to native vegetation include: • The design of the JBAMBD project has been chosen to predominantly run adjacent of the existing highway and bridge. This allows the project to utilise the pre-existing roads and limits the encroachment of new infrastructure into adjacent areas containing native vegetation. • Refinement of the south eastern foreshore shared use pedestrian path design from a large arching structure to a narrower angled path. This allowed the Project to reduce the footprint of the path and thus impacts to native vegetation in the area. • Road embankments steepened to reduce encroachment into neighboring land and adjacent native vegetation in the foreshore areas. • Construction methodology allows for site access and temporary works to be within the general construction footprint. Site compound and lay down areas have also been assigned to previously disturbed areas. In addition, the JBAMBD project will minimise impacts to native vegetation by implementing an environmental management protection system during construction, such as establishing vegetation protection zones, educating site staff, suppressing dust, designating site access routes and managing the spread and introduction of weed species. Page 5 of 43 SEB Offset proposal Payment of $19,566.72 2. Purpose of clearance 2.1 Description Jeremy Tiller was engaged by the Port Wakefield to Port Augusta Alliance (PW2PA) to prepare a native vegetation clearance application data report for the development of the Joy Baluch AM Bridge Duplication Project (JBAMD) in Port Augusta, South Australia, and to assess the proposed clearance envelopes against the Clearance Requirements of the Native Vegetation Act 1991 and Native Vegetation Regulations 2017. The field survey data used to prepare this report was collected by Accredited Consultant Matt Launer, from Blackoak Environmental Consulting, during 18-19 January 2019, 30 April 2019 and 16-17 July 2019. As stated on the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure’s (DPTI) project website: ‘The Joy Baluch AM Bridge is an important link in the National Land Transport Network at Port Augusta, providing access across the Spencer Gulf for commuter, commercial and freight vehicles in the northern region of South Australia. It is also a key tourist connection to the Eyre Peninsula, northern South Australia and beyond. The duplication of the bridge will improve road safety and efficiency for all users, improve freight productivity and importantly improve the resilience of this critical road link. It will also address the current bridge speed restrictions and safety for people walking or cycling across the bridge. The Australian and South Australian Governments have committed $200 million ($160 million from the Australian Government and $40 million from the South Australian Government) for the Joy Baluch AM Bridge Duplication Project (DPTI 20201)’. 2.2 Background The project is located within the Arden IBRA Associations of South Australia. The landform in the Arden IBRA Association is described as plains with dunes, lakes and mangrove or samphire flats. The association is dominated by low chenopod shrublands and low open woodlands with chenopod shrub understorey. Approximately 93% of the Arden IBRA Association is mapped as remnant native vegetation. The project is located primarily in an urban setting, with the proposed bridge traversing the estuary environment of Upper North Spencer Gulf. Current land uses of the properties to be impacted includes roads and highways, railway corridor, disused railway yards, commercial and residential properties and reserves. Adjacent land uses to the project includes public beaches, commercial, residential and vacant residential properties, recreation parks, public open spaces and public institutions (accessed from NatureMaps, 2020). 2.3 Details of the proposal The project, spanning the Upper Spencer Gulf, involves the duplication of the Joy Baluch AM Bridge, existing bridge design upgrades and pedestrian connectivity works. The bridge duplication