QCLNG Project
Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report
QCLNG Camps 11, 2 and Aldoga Laydown
QGC020-ENV-RPT-0013
Rev 1
Produced for: QGC
Release authorisation
Chris Cantwell Originator
Berlinda Ezzy Reviewed
Steve Fox Approved
QGC Client
Revision record
1 05-5-11 Incorporating client CC BE SF comments
0 29-4-11 Final issued to client CC BE SF
A 28-4-11 Draft issued to client CC BE SF
Rev Date Status Originator Reviewed Approved
Page 2 of 21
Table of contents
1 Introduction and Purpose ...... 4 2 Definitions and Abbreviations ...... 5 3 Methodology ...... 5 4 Survey Results ...... 7 4.1 Camp Site Descriptions ...... 7 4.1.1 Proposed Camp 1 ...... 7 4.1.2 Proposed Camp 2 ...... 11 4.1.3 Proposed Aldoga Laydown ...... 16 4.2 Threatened Ecological Communities ...... 20 4.3 Regional Ecosystems ...... 20 4.4 EVNT Flora Species ...... 20 4.5 Other Ecological Features ...... 20 5 Conclusion ...... 21 6 References ...... 21 Appendix 1 - Personnel CV ...... 22
Page 3 of 21
QCLNG Project Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report QCLNG Camp Sitess 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown
1 Introduction and Purpose QGC (a BG-Group Company) is in the approval phase of the QCLNG Project with both Commonwealth and State Government aapprovals obtained in October 2010.. The Project comprises three main elements:
The Coal Seam Gas (CSG) Fields; Gas Collection Header (GCH) and Export Pipeline (EP); and LNG facility on Curtis Island. The CSG Fields and GCH occur in the Southern Brigalow Belt Bioregion of Queensland between the towns of Tipton and Taroom. The LNG Plant is located on Curtis Island on the Central Queensland Coast immediately north of the city of Gladstone. The EP links these two areas. The pipeline runs north-east from the western end of Baarakula State Forest (north of Miles)) through to the Central Queensland Coast.
The construction of the Project will include unavoidable impacts on remnant native vegetation proteected under the State Vegetation Management Act 1999 (VM Act) and Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) under the Commonwealth Environment Proteection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Impacts to flora and fauna species listedd as threatened under the State Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NC Act) and/or the EPBC Act may also occur.
Ancillary to the construction of the EP, camp sites are required to accommodate staff and provide for layddown areas for piping and associated infrastructure. This report descrribes the results of pre- clearance surveys conducted on three (3) sites, including Camp 1 (KP 65) and Camp 2 (KP 5) along the EP, and the Aldoga Laydown Area which is located near Gladstone.
Conditions 5 to 13 of the Commonwealth Department of Sustainabilittyy, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPC) approval for the Pipeline component of the Project have been considered. This report specifically addresses Conditions 5 to 7 relating to the requirements for pre-clearance surveys, as follows:
5. Before the clearance of nnative vegetation in the pipeline ROW the proponent must:
a. undertake pre-clearance surveys for the presence of listed threatened species, their habitat and listed ecological communities; and
b. alternatively, where recent surveys have already been undertaken and those surveys meet the Department’s requirements for surveys for the relevant Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES), the pproponent may elect to develop management plans based on those surveys in accordance with the requirements of Condition 8.
6. Pre-clearance surveys must:
a. for each listed speciees, be undertaken in accordance with the Department’s survey guidelines in effect at the time of the survey. This information can be obtained from http:///wwww.environment.gov.au/epbc/guidelines- policies.html#threatened;
b. be undertaken by a suitably qualified ecologist approved by the Department in writing;
c. document the survey methodology, results and significant findings in relation to MNES; and
d. apply best practice site assessment and ecological survey methods appropriate for each listed threeatened species, migratory species, their habitat and listed ecological communities.
Page 4 of 21
QCLNG Project Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report QCLNG Camp Sitess 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown
7. Pre-clearance survey reports (which document the methods used and the results obtained) must be published by the proponent and provided to the Department at the time of publication.
2 Definitions and Abbreviations
Table 1 provides an explanation of terms and acronyms used within the document.
Table 1. Explanation of Terms and Abbbreviations used in the document
Term Definition CSG Coal Seam Gas DERM Department of Environmment and Resource Management DSEWPC Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
EP Export Pipeline
EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Endangered Regional Ecosystem as defined under the Vegettation Management ERE Act 1999 Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened flora and fauna species under the EVNT NC Act and including Exxttinct, Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable and Conservation Dependent underr the EPBC Act GCH Gas Collection Header
HERBRECS A database of all plant specimen records held by the Queensland Herbarium KP Kilometre Point along the pipeline ROW Least Concern Regional Ecosystem as defined under the Vegetation LCRE Management Act 1999 NC Act Nature Conservation Act 1992 Of Concern Regional Ecosystem as defined under the Vegetation Management OCRE Act 1999 RE Regional Ecosystem as defined under the Vegetation Managgeement Act 1999 ROW Right of Way – the pipeline corridor/easement SEVT Semi-evergreen Vine Thicket TEC Threatened Ecological Communities VM Act Vegetation Management Act 1999 Database of recorded wildlife sightings and listings of plants,, fungi, protists, Wildlife mammals, birds, reptiless, amphibians, freshwater fish, marine cartilaginous fish Online and butterflies in Queensland maintained by DERM
3 Methodology
Pre-clearance surveys were conducted by Unidel ecologists commissioned by QGC at each of the three proposed sites. The purpose of the pre-clearance survey was to identify and document the ecological values contained within the site. Ecological values that were tarrgeted during the survey included:
presence and extent of Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) under the EPBC Act; presence and extent of Regional Ecosystems(REs) mapped under thhe VM Act; presence of Endangered, Vulnerable and Near Threatened (EVNT) fflora species listed under the EPBC Act and/or the NC Act; and
Page 5 of 21
QCLNG Project Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report QCLNG Camp Sitess 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown
other ecological and environmental features incidentally observed including: o Regionally significant flora; o Hollow-bearing trees; o Brachychiton species (bottle trees and kurrajongs); o Grass trees and fig trees; o Rocky and gravel outcrops; o Adjoining wetlands; and o Fauna breeding sites. Prior to the surveys being conducted in the field the ecologists undertook desktop assessments to identify any remnant vegetation or significant flora/fauna species that may occur on or near the site. The desktop assessment included review of:
REs and High Value Regrowth vegetation mapping by DERM; Regional Vegetation Management Codes for Threshold REs; EPBC Act list of threatened floraa or fauna; EVNTs under the NC Act; Wildlife Online ([email protected]); Essential Habitat; and MNES search.
The pre-clearance surveys were undertaken on the following dates:
Camp 1 – 4th November 2010; Camp 2 – 28th September 2010; and Aldoga Laydown – 27th April 2011.
The entire area of the proposed camp sites/laydown area and adjacent areas on each subject property were surveyed. All three sites comprised rural paddocks that were highly modified from their original condition. A walkthrough survey was conducted using random meannder technique (Cropper 1993), which involved traversing the study area in no set pattern, but roughly back and forth, whilst searching for species of interest identifiied in desktop searches. Where environmental values were encountered, their position was recorded on a hand-held GPS device annd if they occurred as a population they were counted. Photogrraphs were also taken to record the condition of ecological valuues that were encountered at each camp site. A summary of the findings during the survey were then recorded on a Project Environmental Clearance form.
Plant specimens observed were identifieed in the field using appropriate fielld guides and taxonomic keys. Specimens that could not be identified in the field were collected for more detailed examination and identification in the office. Where neecessary, confirmation of plant identiffiications was sought from the Queensland Herbarium. Nomenclature for scientific and common names followed that of Bostock and Holland (2007).
Incidental observations of EVNT fauna species, regionally significant florra, hollow-bearing trees, Brachychiton species, grass trees, fig trees, rocky and gravel outcrops, adjoiining wetlands and fauna breeding sites were recorded on a handheld GPS device.
Page 6 of 21
QCLNG Project Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report QCLNG Camp Sitess 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown
The surveys were undertaken by Unidel field ecologists Steve Cupitt (Camp 2) and Wayne Harris (Aldoga Laydown) and QGC Environment Officer Ben Salleras (Camp 1). CVVs for Steve and Wayne are provided in Appendix 1. The preparation for pre-clearance surveys, survey methodologies and write ups were undertaken with the supervision of Steve Fox, General Mannager of Environment at Unidel. Steve Fox and Wayne Harris have been approved as suitable by DSEWPC in writing for undertaking pre-clearance surveys on 28 October 2010. Due to Camp 1 being completely cleared and highly disturbed, Ben Salleras was considered suitable to undertake the environmental survey of the site. Steve Fox has reviewed Ben Salleras’ survey results and supports the findings.
Subsequent to the initial surveys, a request from QGC was forwarded to DSEWPC (21 March 2011) to approve additional Unidel ecologists for pre-clearance surveys, including Steve Cupitt who undertook the surveys for Camp 2. This approval was granted by DSEWPC on 21 April 2011.
4 Survey Results
This section describes the results of the pre-clearance surveys undertaken on Camps 1, 2 and the Aldoga Laydown for:
TECs under the EPBC Act; REs; EVNT flora species; and Other notable ecological and environmental features.
4.1 Camp Site Descriptions
4.1.1 Proposed Camp 1
Proposed Camp 1 is located on Hubbards Road, Crossroads on Lot 2RP108045, near KP65 of the Export Pipeline (see Figure 1).
The site is currently used for pasture, grazed by cattle, and is entirely clear of native vegetation. Directly south of the proposed camp location are areas of Endangered RE 11.4.12 and Of Concern RE 11.3.4/11.3.2/11.3.25, associated witth Wambo Creek (see Figures 1, 3 and 4). These REs are enviironmentally sensitive areas requiring a 200m buffer. The proposed camp has been designed to incorporate this buffer (refer to points A6-A10 on Figure 2).
No declared weed species were identifieed on the site. The weed risk of thhe site was rated as low. The terrain is generally flat, with a minimal slope towards the north, and soils were non-sodicsandy loams. Wambo Creek flows approximately 250m – 300m south of the propoosed site. There was no erosion observed on the site.
Two dams and a pond presently exist onn the property, and the design of the proposed camp has avoiided these features (see Figure 2).
Page 7 of 21
QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report QCLNG Camp Sites 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown
Figure 1 – Proposed Camp 1 Location
Page 8 of 21
QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report QCLNG Camp Sites 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown
Figure 2 – Proposed Camp 1 Detail
Page 9 of 21
QCLNG Project Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report Campss 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown
Figure 3 – Northern Edge of Endangered RE 11.4.12 (facing east)
Figure 4 – Northern Edge of Of Concern RE 11.3.4/11.3.2/11.3.25 (facing west)
Page 10 of 21
QCLNG Project Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report Campss 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown
4.1.2 Proposed Camp 2 Proposed Camp 2 is located on Upper Downfall Creek Road, Guluguba on Lot 23 FT272, near KP5 on the EP (see Figure 5).
The site has been used for grazing and cropping in the past, and is predominantly clear of vegetation. Apart from a bottle tree (Brachychiton rupestris) on the western end of the southern boundary (see Figure 7) and approximately four mature Eucalyptus at the far south-eastern corner of the site, no living mature or habitat trees remain on the site or in surrounding areas (see Figure 8). One dead habitat tree was observed on the site. Scattered limebush (Citrus glauca) and some regrowth Acacia, Eucalyptus and Atalayahemim glauca occur on the site. The design of the camp avoids these trees (see Figure 6), however if the dead habbitat tree must be removed for healtth and safety reasons, a fauna spotter will be required. Similarly, thin bands of mixed vegetation line both sides of the Stiller’s property driveway, and must be protected through barricading.
Two weed species were recorded on the site and surrounds; Opuntia spp. (high risk) and Verbena spp.. (low risk). The Opuntia spp. (see Fiigure 9) will require removal and immediate treatment to stop spread by vehicle tyres. The property has a mild slope towards the north and north-east, sodic soils were present. There was a moderate level of erosion, particularly at contour outlets and sloping drainage lines. Downfall Creek (stream oorder 3) runs along the north of the property, within 320m of the pproposed camp site. A minor unnamed drainage channel borders the sitte from the south-eastern corner, and travels along the eastern and northern boundaries of the site. Stringent erosion and sediment control measures will be required within and bordering the site, incluuding sediment basins at site outfalls in proximity to Downfall Creek.
Page 11 of 21
QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report Camps 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown
Figure 5 – Proposed Camp 2Location
Page 12 of 21
QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report Camps 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown
Figure 6 – Proposed Camp 2 Detail
Page 13 of 21
QCLNG Project Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report Campss 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown
Figure 7 – Bottle Tree at Southern Boundary
Figure 8 – Proposed Site (facing north-east from proposed access pointt)
Page 14 of 21
QCLNG Project Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report Campss 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown
Figure 9 – Opuntia spp. at southern boundary to be removed
Page 15 of 21
QCLNG Project Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report Campss 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown
4.1.3 Proposed Aldoga Laydown The proposed Aldoga Laydown site (see Figure 10) is located off Gladstone Mt Larcom Road in Aldoga. The proposed laydown site is located to the south-east of Aldoga Precinct 1, and is Lot 1 of a five-lot setout plan (see Figure 11) on the property Lot 12 SP162130.
The site has been fully cleared and leveled, presumably for future industrial uses (see Figure 12). Vegetation on the site consists of grasses and occasional low shrubs. Domiinant grasses on the site are Heteropogon contortus and Chrysoppogon fallax (see Figure 13). The dominant shrub species on the site is the introduced pasture shrub Stylosanthes scabra. There is minimal native regrowth vegetation (Corymbia tesselaris) on the site and in the surrounding area.
No declared or significant weeds were identified on the site during the field survey, and no REs were mapped or observed on the site.
There are no watercourses in proximity to the proposed llaydown site, and no constraining enviironmental factors.
Page 16 of 21
QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report Camps 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown
Figure 10 – Proposed Aldoga Laydown Layout Plan
Page 17 of 21
QCLNG Project Pre-clearing Ecological Survey Report Camps 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown
Figure 11 – Proposed Aldoga Laydown – Preliminary Lease Lot Setout Plan
Page 18 of 21
QCLNG Project Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report Campss 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown
Figure 12 – Aldoga Laydown
Figure 13 – Dominant Grasses on the Aldoga Laydown Site
Page 19 of 21
QCLNG Project Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report Campss 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown
4.2 Threatened Ecological Communities There are a number of TECs protecteed by the EPBC Act mapped in the vicinity of the EP and associated construction camps. These include:
Brigalow (Acacia harpophylladominant and co-dominant); White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland; Natural Grasslands on basalt and fine-textured alluvial plains of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland; Semi-evergreen Vine Thickkets of the Brigalow Belt (North and South) and Nandewar Bioregions; and Weeping Myall Woodlands. None of these TECs occur at proposed Camp sites 1 or 2, or the proposed Alldoga Laydown.
4.3 Regional Ecosystems
No Endangered REs, Of Concern REs or Least Concern REs were mappped or observed on the proposed sites for Camps 1, 2 or the Aldoga Laydown. Proposed Camp 1 is located north of Endangered and Of Concern REs (see Figures 3 and 4), and Camp 2 is located south of an Endangered RE; however appropriate buffer zones have been incorporated into camp layout design to avoid any impacts on these REs.
4.4 EVNT Flora Species
All three proposed locations were heavily cleared rural sites that have been highly modified from their original condition. No EVNT flora species were found at any of the sites.
4.5 Other Ecological Features
Other ecological features encountered in or near the proposed sites included a mature bottle tree (see Figure 7) and a dead habitat tree at proposed Camp 2.
Page 20 of 21
QCLNG Project Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report Campss 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown
5 Conclusion No TECs were identified at the proposed sites for Camps 1, 2 or the Aldoga Laydown.
No remnant vegetation or EVNT flora speecies were encountered at any of the proposed camp sites, though Endangered and Of Conceern REs exist in proximity to Camp sittes 1 and 2. This vegetation will not be affected by the proposed uses, as appropriate buffers have been incorporated into camp site design.
Other ecological features identified on the sites, such as drainage areas and mature trees were of a minor nature and have been avoided wherever possible in the design.
6 References
Bostock, P.D. and Holland, A.E. (eds) (2007). Census of the Queensland Flora 2007. Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane.
Cropper, S. (1993). Management of Endaangered Plants. CSIRO East Melbouurne.
Page 21 of 21
QCLNG Project Pre-clearingg Ecological Survey Report Campss 1, 2 and Aldoga Laydown
Appendix 1 - Personnel CV
Steve Cupitt PRINCIPAL ECOLOGIST
Profile
Steve is an ecologist with over 12 years experience in vegetation management and assessment. During this time, he has worked with over 1,000 landholders in the field, been manager of the Greening Australia Rural program, Dalby Community Nursery, Environmental Services Unit and weed control teams. He has consulted for a number of organisations on wetlands and riparian management and worked closely with State and Commonwealth Departments on a number of programs, including managing the State Governments Vegetation Incentives Program.
Qualifications
Associate Degree of Applied Science (Distinction)
Cert 4 Assessment and Workplace Training
RAQ31698 Cert 3 Agriculture (production Horticulture)
Career Summary
2009 – Present Senior Ecologist, Unidel
2002 – 2009 Manager West Region, Greening Australia Queensland
Areas of expertise
• Regional Ecosystem Assessment and Identification • Wetland Management and Assessment • Riparian Zone Management • Property Vegetation Management Planning • Environmental and Habitat Assessments • Extension / Education to the Rural Community Industry experience
Offsets
Eastern Star Gas : Steve was involved in the delivery of environmental offsets including landholder engagement, ground-truthing and preparation of offset agreements.
Queensland Curtis LNG Project , Queensland Gas Company ($8 billion): World first coal seam gas to LNG project including a 10 000+ well gas field in the Surat Basin, a 400km gas pipeline to Gladstone and LNG plant on Curtis Island. The project requires extensive offsets under State and Federal government legislation. Steve was involved in assessment of the
project’s offset requirements, preparation of offset budgets and a landscape scale assessment to determine the feasibility of securing offsets as well as the early identification of priority offset sites associated with the Curtis Island Export Facility. Steve has also managed the landholder engagement process and undertaken extensive liaison with rural landholders for the provision of offsets. Wiggins Island Coal Terminal, Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal Pty Ltd: Steve was involved in the identification of vegetation offsets for the project, landholder engagement and field assessments.
Newstead Pipeline Offsets Strategy , APA Wallumbilla: Steve was responsible for assessing the project’s offset requirements, preparing offset cost estimates and a landscape scale assessment to determine the feasibility of securing offsets. Vegetation Management
Steve has significant experience in preparing vegetation management plans and providing advice on regional ecosystems and on farm conservation programs. Examples of projects that Steve has been involved in are listed below:
• Origin Energy: Re-vegetation and tree planting project in Spring Gully
• Arrow Energy: Weed control and Weed Identification Consultancy
• Santos: Consulting on Regional Ecosystems
• Braemar Power and QGC: Weed Control on 200km Gas pipeline and Braemar Power Station
• Greening Australia Rural Nursery: Managed the weed control team and Environmental Services Unit
• Condamine Alliance: Consultant for wetland and riparian management
• Greening Australia: Manager of West Region
• Commonwealth Government: Regional Support Contract
• Greening Australia: State Coordinator Devolved Grants
On Farm Conservation
• Greening Australia: State Manager of Government Vegetation Incentives Program
• Greening Australia: Field Officer with the On Farm Conservation Program
• Greening Australia: Regional Coordinator of the On Farm Conservation Program
Wayne Harris PRINCIPAL ECOLOGIST
Profile
Wayne has more than 20 years experience in biological sciences particularly in plant systematics and plant identification, environmental assessment and vegetation mapping. He has worked in Queensland, Western Australian and Victoria on consultancy assignments for industry and government. Wayne’s consultancy work has included route selection, environmental surveying, vegetation mapping, and monitoring.
Wayne has been involved in developing strategies and guidelines for sustainable development and the protection, enhancement and rehabilitation of species and regional ecosystems.
Qualifications
Doctor of Philosophy (Plant Systematic)
Master of Science
Bachelor of Science
Career Summary
2009 – Present Principal Ecologist, Unidel
1998 – Present Research Associate, Queensland Herbarium.
1998 – 2008 Consultant for biodiversity assessments of major development projects
Botanical surveys and services of local shire councils and environmental groups.
1995 – 1998 Ph.D. in Systemic Botany, University of Queensland
Industry experience
Oil and Gas
Queensland Curtis LNG Project, QGC ($6 Billion+): World first coal seam gas to LNG project including a 10,000+ well gas field in the Surat Basin, a 400km gas pipeline to Gladstone and LNG plant on Curtis Island.
Ruby Braemar Pipeline (ERM Power): The project involved the construction of an 80 km long gas pipeline near Braemar State Forest in Queensland.
Liquid Niugini Gas. Pipeline route and LNG site selection and botanical surveys.
Rail
‘Missing Link’ railway corridor Environmental Impact Assessment for Queensland Rail.
Mining
China First Project, Waratah Coal ($2 Billion+): The project involved the establishment of a new coal mine, railway and port facilities to export high volatile, low sulphur, steaming coal to international markets. It included a new coal terminal within the Abbot Point State Development Area (APSDA) and the Port of Abbot Point, a new mine near Alpha in central Queensland and a new heavy haul standard gauge rail system linking the mine and coal terminal.
Coal slurry pipeline for Tarong Power.
In the early part of his career Wayne was employed as a geologist and became Exploration Manager (Eastern Australia) for the Petroleum Division of Western Mining Corporation.
Defence
Shoalwater Bay Defence property for Department of Defence.
HMAS Cerberus Defence property for Department of Defence.
Kikori River (Papua New Guinea) catchment biodiversity study, for the World Wildlife Fund for Nature.
Scientific Biological Surveys
Invited on two occasions to participate on botanical surveys of the Pilbara region, Western Australia for the WA government.
Survey of Mussau Island (PNG) for the National Capital Botanic Gardens, Port Moresby.
Expedition to the Torricelli Mountains, PNG for an orchid survey on behalf of the National Capital Botanic Gardens, Port Moresby.
Areas of expertise
• Land access management • Botanical survey • Plant classification and identification • Orchids • Vegetation Mapping