OCM031.5/03/15

W.A. BLUEMETAL

REVEGETATION MANAGEMENT & VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Proposed Landform Raising (Stage 2) Whitby Quarry

Lot 3, South Western Highway, Whitby

Ransberg Pty Ltd T/A WA Bluemetal 401 Spearwood Ave, Bibra Lake WA PO Box 1457 Bibra Lake WA 6595 Ph. 08 9434 7777 Fax. 9434 1513 Email. [email protected]

Report: 026.R011.Rev0 28 October 2014 OCM031.5/03/15

Revegetation Management & Visual Impact Assessment Proposed Landform Raising (Stage 2) – Lot 3 South Western Highway, Whitby 28 October 2014

REVEGETATION MANAGEMENT & VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Proposed Landform Raising (Stage 2) Whitby Quarry Lot 3, South Western Highway, Whitby

Prepared By: PMR Quarries Pty Ltd T/A WA Limestone 41 Spearwood Avenue Bibra Lake WA 6163 (PO Box 1404 Bibra Lake WA 6965) T: 08 9434 7700 F: 08 9434 1513 E: [email protected] www.walimestone.com

Document Control Reference Status Date Prepared Reviewed Authorised 026.R011 Rev 0 28 October 2014 Roger Stephens Caroline Scally Roger Stephens

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Revegetation Management & Visual Impact Assessment Proposed Landform Raising (Stage 2) – Lot 3 South Western Highway, Whitby 28 October 2014

CONTENTS 1.0 BACKGROUND ...... 1 1.1 Land Details ...... 2 1.2 Site Description ...... 3 1.3 Geology, Soils and Earthworks ...... 4 2.0 REVEGETATION MANAGEMENT ...... 5 2.1 Vegetation Condition ...... 5 2.2 Revegetation Management ...... 5 2.3 Species List ...... 6 2.4 Completion Criteria ...... 6 2.5 Fauna Management ...... 7 2.6 Weed Management ...... 7 2.6.1 Weed Management Principles ...... 7 2.7 Fire breaks ...... 8 2.8 Dieback Management ...... 8 2.8.1 Dieback Management Principles...... 8 3.0 VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT...... 9 3.1 Potential Impact ...... 9 3.1.1 Landscape value ...... 9 3.1.2 Visual landscape character ...... 9 3.1.3 Proposal context in the landscape ...... 10 3.2 Assessment Methodology ...... 11 3.3 Assessment ...... 11 3.3.1 Foreground zone ...... 11 3.3.2 Middle ground zone ...... 12 3.3.3 Background zone ...... 12 3.4 Findings ...... 13 3.5 Recommended Management ...... 13 BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 14

FIGURES Figure 1: Site Location Plan ...... 15 Figure 2: Viewshed ...... 15 Figure 3: Viewshed (Aerial Photograph Overlay) ...... 15 Figure 4: Site Plan...... 15 Figure 5: Cross Sections ...... 15

TABLES Table 1: Mining Tenements ...... 2 Table 2: Freehold Land ...... 2

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Revegetation Management & Visual Impact Assessment Proposed Landform Raising (Stage 2) – Lot 3 South Western Highway, Whitby 28 October 2014

1.0 BACKGROUND

WA Bluemetal has operated the Whitby hard rock quarry adjacent to Lot 3 South Western Highway since 1999. The removal and storage of overburden material is a necessary activity of this operation and the management of overburden material is an ongoing significant issue faced by all quarry operators on the Darling Scarp.

The initial overburden produced was used in the construction of the quarry access road, processing plant pad and screening bunds. Later overburden was placed into a stockpile to the north of the quarry pit. This stockpile has reached maximum capacity whereby any further addition would result in the material becoming visible from the Swan Coastal Plain. Overburden material was also used for the construction of the hardstand storage area adjacent to the weighbridge in 2004.

Ultimately it is WA Bluemetal’s intention to progressively backfill the quarry pit with overburden in a sequential operation. However the quarry pit is not yet large enough to allow this to occur.

As an interim measure until backfilling of the quarry pit can commence, WA Bluemetal’s preferred option is for overburden to be placed in a perimeter bund around the area of land to the northeast of the quarry, which is the subject of a land swap with the Department of Parks and Wildlife. However due to ongoing delays by the state government in excising the land from State Forest and transferring ownership, it will be several years before this process is completed and the land is available to WA Bluemetal.

The next best option was to move the overburden to the cleared pasture areas within Lot 3. This commenced in 2012 and is due to be completed in 2015.

Continued delays by government in dealing with the land swap necessitate additional overburden to be placed within Lot 3. This assessment reviews the visual impact of Stage 2 of overburden filling within Lot 3 South Western Highway, Whitby.

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Revegetation Management & Visual Impact Assessment Proposed Landform Raising (Stage 2) – Lot 3 South Western Highway, Whitby 28 October 2014

1.1 Land Details

The subject site is located within Lot 3 South Western Highway, Whitby which forms part of WA Bluemetal’s landholdings for its Whitby Quarry operations.

Tenement Area (ha) Date Pegged Status Holder(s) M70/1240 84.0000 15/06/2005 Pending Ransberg Pty. Ltd. P70/1646 12.6000 28/03/2013 Pending Ransberg Pty. Ltd. Table 1: Mining Tenements

Land Description Area (ha) Owner(s) Lot 901 on Plan 61651 61.7462 Ransberg Pty. Ltd. Lot 3 on Diagram 38675 65.2424 Ransberg Pty. Ltd. Lot 2 on Diagram 38675 42.4141 Ransberg Pty. Ltd. Lot 1 on Diagram 38675 40.8346 Ransberg Pty. Ltd. Table 2: Freehold Land

Correspondence should be addressed to the WA Bluemetal Head Office.

WA Bluemetal – Head Office 401 Spearwood Avenue Bibra Lake Western Australia PO Box 1457 Bibra Lake WA 6965 Ph 08 9434 7777 Fax 08 9434 1513

WA Bluemetal – Whitby Quarry Lot 901 South Western Highway Western Australia PO Box 1457 Bibra Lake WA 6965 Ph. 08 9525 5200 (Weighbridge)

Registered Quarry Manager: David Della Bona Director WA Limestone PO Box 1447 Bibra Lake WA 6965 Ph. 08 9434 7777

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Revegetation Management & Visual Impact Assessment Proposed Landform Raising (Stage 2) – Lot 3 South Western Highway, Whitby 28 October 2014

1.2 Site Description

The subject site lies near the base of the Darling Scarp, adjacent to South Western Highway Road Reserve. A winter creek runs along the eastern and southern boundaries of the proposed landform raising site. The project site is adjacent to areas previously approved for overburden filling by the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale.

Elevation of the land ranges from 82m AHD in the south to 106m AHD in the northeast of the site, with the site gently sloping to the south.

The Darling Scarp is a visually sensitive area that is recognised in both Local and State Government planning policies. Inappropriate developments located on the Scarp can create visual impacts that might be seen from a large area of viewpoints. South Western Highway is taken as a representative point of potential impact. Closer to the Scarp the impacts can often be screened by local trees, and further away,distance factors reduce the perception of impact.

The location of the landform raising has been determined on a number of parameters including:

• selecting areas where the slopes are less severe • visual management is able to be managed • selecting sparsely vegetated areas • access and servicing issues are minimised

An existing winter creek is located along the eastern and southern portions of the project area. Contour drains are to be installed up slope from the winter creekto catch any sedimentary runoff, capture water from upslope, and provide for retention and infiltration of that water. A separate Water Management Plan has been prepared in consultation with advice from suitably qualified engineers to address water and drainage considerations.

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Revegetation Management & Visual Impact Assessment Proposed Landform Raising (Stage 2) – Lot 3 South Western Highway, Whitby 28 October 2014

1.3 Geology, Soils and Earthworks

The site lies on soils developed on weathered granite associated with the Darling Scarp. On this site the soils are yellow brown stony soils of colluvial origin resting on weathered granite saprolite and saprock.

The soils are predominantly formed from soil, clay, stone or granite and dolerite combined with minor gravel being washed down slope to rest on the weathered granite basement. The soils are yellow brown sandy and stony loam soils which become lighter with depth. They are generally friable and well drained. The lower soil horizons are sometimes saprolitic and contain weathered fragments of rock and freed minerals.

The location of the soils, on a slope in a higher rainfall area, results in the soils being free from any salinity issues. All soils are well drained because of the slope.

Earthworks will be constrained to the previously indicated boundaries of the 7.9 hectare site.

No particular construction difficulties are envisaged, due to construction occurring in the summer months which is when the properties of the material are the most ‘construction friendly’. Cut off drains will be installed for stormwater management.

Access to the site will be from the existing quarry access road, with a temporary internal road constructed to the lower end of the site. Construction of the landform will include building the landform from the creek side heading up the hill.

The main risk during earthworks is the risk of soil movement during construction in winter from runoff storm events. Management practices are the same as those on any other sloping lot. The potential of soil movement through water erosion will be mitigated through normal construction practices.

The environmental impacts from development will be constrained within the boundaries of the site, which minimises the risk of weed spread, dieback intrusion, waste water disposal, erosion, and visual impact affecting the other areas of the Darling Scarp.

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Revegetation Management & Visual Impact Assessment Proposed Landform Raising (Stage 2) – Lot 3 South Western Highway, Whitby 28 October 2014

2.0 REVEGETATION MANAGEMENT

2.1 Vegetation Condition

The subject site is cleared pasture which has historically been used for low level grazing. The pasture is not considered to be high quality agricultural land. Whilst the soils are good loams they contain a proportion of stone and rock, and the site is constrained between drainage lines and the slope of the scarp. Furthermore there is no local surface or groundwater available in sufficient quantities for irrigated land use. Therefore the only potential agricultural land use is grazing. The slopes and small area make the land unsuitable for cultivated agriculture, and is not suitable for perennial horticulture. It is noted in the Darling Range Rural land capability Study the land in such situations on the Darling Scarp is not used for any rural activity apart from low level grazing. Locally there is no cultivation or horticulture, as described below: . King PD and MR Wells, 1990, Darling Range Rural land capability Study, Department of Agriculture and Food, Land Resources Series No 3, identifies the land as Balgobin 2 and Darling Scarp 2 both of which have land capability for Grazing, General Horticulture and Perennial Horticulture of IV to V, Low to very low capability.

2.2 Revegetation Management

The topsoil covering the 7.9 hectare area is proposed to be stripped and stockpiled in stages for future reuse. The stockpiled topsoil will be respread over the overburden material at the earliest opportunity.

The landform raising will occur in a series of stages, each not exceeding 2.5 hectares before revegetation and tree planting will take place. The material placement will only take place in the summer months due to the workability of the high clay content material. Revegetation and planting will predominantly take place in the winter months, which allows for maximum plant survival.

Revegetation will generally consist of respreading the topsoil with the seed bank to re-establish the pasture grasses.This will provide rapid surface stabilisation and reduce any visual impact of the bare soil. In addition tree planting and direct seeding will be conducted along the southern and western boundaries and in clumps within the site to provide additional screening.

The use of strategic fire breaks will reduce the need for fuel reduction burning and assists in retaining the remnant trees on site. Fire regulations will however still require driveable perimeter fire breaks.

Dieback management practices are recommended even though there are no obvious signs of the disease within the site and the risks to the forest to the east are minimal.

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Revegetation Management & Visual Impact Assessment Proposed Landform Raising (Stage 2) – Lot 3 South Western Highway, Whitby 28 October 2014

2.3 Species List

Species from the following list are proposed to be established through direct seeding and/or hardened tube plants. These species have been used previously by WA Bluemetal at the subject site and have proven to be successful.

Species Key Notes Acacia saligna LS#W rapid screening/short life Allocasuarina fraseriana TL# Callistemon phoeniceus aW Calothamnus quadrifidus S#a Calothamnus rupestris Sa Calothamnus sanguineus Sa Eucalyptus accedens T slow but good in hard clay sites Eucalyptus calophylla TS Eucalyptus laeliae T Eucalyptus megacarpa TS Eucalyptus patens TS Eucalyptus rudis TSW can be affected by insects Eucalyptus wandoo T slow but good in hard clay sites Hakea lissocarpha a Hakea petiolaris a Hakea trifurcata a Leptospermum erubescens a Melaleuca preissiana TSW Melaleuca radula a Melaleuca scabra a Paraserianthes lophantha LS#a short life, rapid screening Taxandria linearifolia Wa Viminaria juncea LS#W

W Suitable for wet sites T Tree Local trees are limited in species number A Shrub L Legume or nitrogen fixing S Best species for providing rapid screening cover # Suitable for seeding and normally introduced from seed

2.4 Completion Criteria

At the completion of each stage of overburden placement, topsoil will be respread over the completed area, and planted with species from the list provided at Section 2.3. The revegetation will be managed to ensure a survival rate of 1000 plants per hectare, at 4 years from the completion of each stage.

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Revegetation Management & Visual Impact Assessment Proposed Landform Raising (Stage 2) – Lot 3 South Western Highway, Whitby 28 October 2014

2.5 Fauna Management

Western grey kangaroos reside at the site, and common small mammals are likely to occur such as bandicoots and possums, which are now increasing in numbers along the Darling Scarp; because of the reduction in fox numbers through baiting and the introduction of better habitats.

Minimal changes to fauna numbers are expected as a result of the land raising and rehabilitation of the site.

2.6 Weed Management

The management of weeds is essentially similar to that for plant diseases. Weeds can be declared under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976 which requires that Declared Weeds are eradicated. Other weeds are not Declared but may be classified as Environmental Weeds because they are well known for impacting on vegetation.

Generally if the actions taken for plant pathogens are applied they will also control weeds. This overburden spreading project is an ancillary activity to WA Bluemetal’s quarry. The same environmental management procedures and practices are proposed to be applied to this project as are currently approved for the quarry.

As a general rule the following principles should be used when undertaking weed management.

2.6.1 Weed Management Principles

• Dieback procedures should be used in conjunction with weed management. • Material won from the topsoil stripping should not be placed in an area of higher vegetation quality. • All vehicles and equipment to be used during land clearing or land reinstatement are to be clean and free from soil or plant material when arriving at a site. • No soil and vegetation is brought to the site apart from that to be used in rehabilitation. • Plants to be used in rehabilitation should be free from weeds. Plants are only to be sourced from suitable nurseries. • Vehicles should stay on defined access roads and firebreaks wherever possible.

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Revegetation Management & Visual Impact Assessment Proposed Landform Raising (Stage 2) – Lot 3 South Western Highway, Whitby 28 October 2014

2.7 Fire breaks

The proposed landform raising is located in an open paddock where existing firebreaks are in place. Tree planting in the area will be for screening purposes only, so access across the site for emergency vehicles can be maintained at all times.

2.8 Dieback Management

Visual examination suggests that there are no obvious signs of dieback on site. There are no indicator species and no obvious species showing deaths.

The site would therefore most likely be classified as uninterpretable with respect to dieback and therefore a dieback survey is not warranted. Instead practices should be used which minimise the spread of weeds and plant pathogens if and when they occur. In many ways the same principles used in weed management also apply to dieback management.

The aim will be to minimise the spread or introduction of dieback Phytophthora spp. or other diseases during the project earthworks. As a general rule the following principles should be used when undertaking dieback management.

2.8.1 Dieback Management Principles

• Dieback management procedures should be used in conjunction with weed management. • Dieback diseases are more likely to be transported under moist clay soil conditions. • All vehicles and equipment to be used during land clearing or land reinstatement are to be clean and free from soil or plant material when arriving at a site. • Plants for re-vegetation are only sourced from suitable nurseries. • Vehicles should stay on defined access roads and firebreaks wherever possible. • Drainage from access roads and firebreaks is to be directed off the road/firebreak by a sequence of small drains to minimise large areas of wet soils. • When clearing land or firebreaks vehicles work from dieback free areas, or areas of better vegetation towards dieback identified or areas of lower quality vegetation.

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Revegetation Management & Visual Impact Assessment Proposed Landform Raising (Stage 2) – Lot 3 South Western Highway, Whitby 28 October 2014

3.0 VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

The Darling Scarp is a visually sensitive area that is recognised in both Local and State Government planning policies. Inappropriate developments located on the Scarp can create visual impacts that might be seen from a large area of viewpoints.

The Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale Local Planning Policy LP8 – Landscape Protection has a number of aims for the protection of the visual quality of the Darling Scarp. The aims of this policy have been taken into account with this visual assessment.

The visibility of a feature within the landscape can be quantified and this document provides an assessment of the potential visibility of the proposal. Visual impact however is often highly subjective and based on the individual perceptions of the observer. A feature may be perfectly acceptable and unobtrusive to one person however another may feel that it causes impact.

In order to assess the potential visual impact, the following aspects have been considered: • value of the landscape and public expectations were considered, • visual aspects of the proposal in the context of the surrounding landscape, • scale and duration of the proposal and • alteration to the visual qualities of the site.

3.1 Potential Impact

3.1.1 Landscape value The Darling Scarp is a significant feature in the regional landscape and the community has a high expectation for the protection of its visual characteristics. Inappropriate development on the scarp has the potential to cause visual impact over a large area.

The subject site is currently grazing pasture, cleared of native vegetation. Pasture is a dominant landuse on the lower Darling Scarp.

WA Bluemetal’s proposal involves the raising of the natural landform by an average of 5 metres over an area of 7.9 hectares. Gentle batters of 1:6 slope, which is consistent with the surrounding landform will be used to blend the filled area into the surrounding area.

The entire proposal area will be progressively revegetated to native vegetation. Therefore there will be no permanent visual impact at any viewpoint. Any impact will be short term and limited to the duration of the works.

3.1.2 Visual landscape character The character of the landscape, east of South Western Highway predominantly consists of rural and agricultural uses, quarrying and native vegetation. This collection of land uses is consistent along the length of the Darling Scarp.

Though the quarries are a significant land use, they occupy a relatively small area and the visual significance of the quarries varies substantially from site to site ranging from highly visible (e.g. Holcim Gosnells Quarry) to completely screened (e.g. WA Bluemetal Whitby Quarry).

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Revegetation Management & Visual Impact Assessment Proposed Landform Raising (Stage 2) – Lot 3 South Western Highway, Whitby 28 October 2014

3.1.3 Proposal context in the landscape In visual terms the project involves the temporary disturbance of the pasture land as the site is prepared, overburden placed, and then rehabilitated.

Disposal of overburden material is a necessary incidental activity to WA Bluemetal’s quarry operations, common to all hard rock quarrying operations on the Darling Scarp. Hard rock quarrying on the Darling Scarp commenced shortly after European settlement and has continuously occurred to this day. Within the vicinity of the proposal a number of historic and active quarries exist.

The quarrying and supply of hard rock material is an essential activity for populated areas, with the material produced required for virtually all construction projects. In order for the quarries to be viable they must be located in proximity to the area of demand. For this reason the presence of quarries in relatively close proximity to built up areas are a common visual feature in the majority of cities and populated regions throughout the world.

In terms of context in the visual landscape, quarries are therefore an expected use in landscapes modified by human occupation. However despite the long historical connection of the Darling Scarp and quarrying, it is recognised that community expectations have gradually changed in recent years and that the visibility of such features are now considered more significant than was previously accepted.

Significantly WA Bluemetal’s operation is the least visible of all the currently operating hard rock quarries on the Darling Scarp. The quarry operations are not visible from any publically accessible viewpoint or residence.

The completed “built form” of the placed overburden will be a modified landform, slightly elevated from the current levels however largely preserving the existing shape of the landform and seamlessly blending into the surrounding land. The proposed revegetation of the area will further assist in providing additional screening. The completed development will be compatible with the surrounding visual landscape and as such will not result in any adverse visual impact or change to the visual landscape.

During the construction period exposed soil and overburden material may be visible from a limited number of publically accessible viewpoints. The disturbance of soil by ripping or tillage is a typical and common agricultural process and expected within a rural landscape. Such activities occur at least annually in the areas immediately surrounding the development area.

Whilst the earthworks required for the project are more substantial than that required for agricultural ground preparation, the area affected is relatively small compared to the areas typically cultivated for agricultural purposes. In terms of context in the landscape the construction phase of the development is not anticipated to appear significantly dissimilar or “out of character” to the surrounding area, particularly when viewed from a distance.

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Revegetation Management & Visual Impact Assessment Proposed Landform Raising (Stage 2) – Lot 3 South Western Highway, Whitby 28 October 2014

3.2 Assessment Methodology

A viewshed analysis of the proposal area was undertaken with ESRI ArcGIS 3D Analyst software to identify the ‘seen area’ of the proposed development. A digital elevation model (DEM) of the area was created with a combination of data supplied by Landgate and from WA Bluemetal’s survey information.

Vegetation is highly effective in providing visual screening. In order to consider this in the analysis, the surrounding existing vegetation was digitised from recent orthophotography. The vegetated areas of the DEM were then extruded by the average height of the vegetation, thereby simulating the screening properties of the vegetation. For the purpose of this exercise vegetated areas were excluded as potential viewpoints.

Computer analysis of the viewshed was examined to a distance of 5 kilometres from the proposal. Beyond this distance the effects of perspective and scale are such that the proposal is highly unlikely to cause appreciable impact to the observer.

3.3 Assessment

Perception of a visual feature and its impact to the observer is highly individualistic and difficult to quantify. A feature may appear visually appealing to one person and offensive to another. Quarries are a clear case in point. The visual aspects of quarries are increasingly viewed as undesirable by some sections of the community. Yet others find them to be attractive with many of the disused hard rock quarries in the Perth region being converted to tourist attractions.

Determining the visual attractiveness of quarries and the proposed development to the general population is beyond the scope of this report. The purpose of the reportis to identifying the locations from which the proposed development would be visible from and their distance from the development site.

The prominence within the landscape and visibility of a feature decreases with distance from the observer and equally any potential visual impact. For this assessment the proposed development has been examined at three distance zones from the site.

3.3.1 Foreground zone The foreground zone extends up to 500m from the viewer position. A feature within this zone is likely to be dominant in the observers view and therefore has the greatest potential to cause impact at this distance.

Within the foreground zone, viewpoints to the site are restricted by the topography and vegetation to within WA Bluemetal’s land and the neighbouring paddock to the south.

Two potentially sensitive viewpoints exist within the foreground zone, being the Leonda Function Centre (owned by WA Bluemetal) and South Western Highway.

Tumblegum Farm is located 230 metres north of the site at the closest point. Due to the topography and existing vegetation the project site will not be visible from the Leonda Function Centre buildings.

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South Western Highway passes within 80 metres at its closest point however the substantial existing vegetation within the road reserve and additional screening vegetation planted by WA Bluemetal provides effective screening and almost completely obscures the subject site. The nearest viewpoint of the proposal area on South Western Highway is approximately 1 kilometre to the south. At this vantage point only a fleeting glimpse of the site is possible by vehicles travelling northbound at 110km/hour.

3.3.2 Middle ground zone The middle ground zone extends from 500 metres out to 5000 metres from the viewer position. At this distance individual features are still observable however are less prominent and less likely to impact views.

Within this zone the proposed works will not be visible in its entirety at any location, with only partial glimpses and views at isolated locations.

The topography and existing vegetation effectively screen the proposal area from the north and east. To the south the topography and vegetation restrict views of the proposal to a distance of 2,000 metres to only within paddocks and vacant land. The modelling shows that the proposal will not be visible from any residence or potentially sensitive viewpoint.

To the west and south-west the existing vegetation provides effective screening for the majority of the area. With only scattered and isolated views possible at several locations at distances from 1000 to 5000 metres, the majority being at 4000m and greater ,restricted to paddocks and vacant land.

The only notable viewpoint identified is at the intersection of South Western Highway and Keirnan Road, at a distance of approximately 1000m. This point represents the most visible publically accessible location. A Field investigation shows views at this point to be partially obscured by the existing vegetation, and demonstrates that even at this relatively close distance the view is dominated by the existing vegetation in the foreground, with the proposal site in the background. In any case any impact will be short term until the area has been rehabilitated.

3.3.3 Background zone Within the background distance zone between 5km to 16.5km from the viewer position, a feature may still be visible (dependent on size). However its prominence and potential impact will be substantially diminished than at closer distances. The effects of perspective, scale, haze, other features observable, etc all contribute to this diminishing effect.

Although not modelled it is assumed that WA Bluemetal’s proposal will be visible from within this background zone in some locations. However given the limited and diminished extent to which it would be visible from these distances it is considered highly unlikely to cause any visual impact to the observer.

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3.4 Findings

The computer modelling demonstrates that views of the proposed works will not be visible except for scattered and isolated locations within rural paddocks and vacant land and will not impact any potentially sensitive viewpoint.

The duration of the works is temporary and staged over several years. The proposal will not significantly modify the existing landform with the land to be deliberately revegetated to native vegetation. The proposal will therefore not cause any permanent change to the visual landscape.

In visual terms, the nature of the works being the spreading of earth within an existing agricultural paddock are considered to be compatible with that expected to occur by agricultural and rural uses. As such the activity if viewed would not be out of context with the visual landscape and therefore unlikely to cause impact.

3.5 Recommended Management

WA Bluemetal have previously demonstrated the placement and revegetation of overburden at this site can be successfully undertaken without any significant visual impact, and the final landuse and revegetation criteria can be achieved. Any visual impact is therefore limited to the construction period and lag time for the revegetation to establish.

To minimise impacts during this period the following management is recommended:

• Ongoing management of perimeter screening vegetation around the subject site established by WA Bluemetal in 2013. • Filling the site along the southern and western ends of the site first. This will allow the vegetation to be established in these areas first, so that tree planting can help to screen the landform raising activities further up the slope. • Undertakethe filling in a staged approach and revegetatation completed as soon as practicable. • Restrict operations to daylight hours to prevent any potential visual impact from light overspill. • Minimising the period of construction when the site is being actively worked. • Undertake surveys and reports to authorities on the progress of the development.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

DPI. (2007). Visual Landscape Planning in Western Australia - A manual for evaluation, assessment, siting and design. Department of Planning and Infrastructure.

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Figure 1: Site Location Plan OCM031.5/03/15

Figure 2: Viewshed OCM031.5/03/15

Figure 3: Viewshed (Aerial Photograph Overlay) OCM031.5/03/15

Figure 4: Site Plan OCM031.5/03/15

Figure 5: Cross Sections