Eddy Creek Quarry – Upgrade Cresswells Transport Pty Ltd Development Proposal and Environmental Management Plan
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Eddy Creek Quarry – Upgrade Cresswells Transport Pty Ltd Development Proposal and Environmental Management Plan Prepared By: Barry Williams Date: 25 October2016 Issue Date Recipient Organisation Draft 16 April 2016 Tony Cresswell Cresswells Transport Pty Ltd Draft 2 8 June 2016 Adam Friend Environment Protection Authority Final 5 September 2016 Michael Gay Environment Protection Authority Final revised 25 October 2016 Michael Gay Environment Protection Authority Eddy Creek Quarry – Upgrade 25 October 2016 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Eddy Creek Quarry is an important source of carbonate product specifically dolomite particularly for agricultural application in southern Tasmania. Cresswells Transport Pty td (Proponent) is seeking to increase the maximum rate of production in order to satisfy a growing demand for the product. An increase in the maximum annual production from 5 000 cubic metres to 20 000 cubic metres will not increase the planned area of clearing but will rather accelerate the rate at which mining will progress through the documented mining and rehabilitation plan. The source rock will be extracted by drill and blast techniques with a maximum of 2 blasts per year likely. Shot rock will be carted to the Proponent’s own processing facility located at the Huon Wood Centre – Southwood. Here the product will be crushed by purpose built equipment to a suitable particle size for distribution direct onto farm land. The product will reduce acidity of the soil and supply vital minerals for healthy crop growth. Eddy Creek Quarry is situated on mining lease (2M/2013). The land surrounding the mining lease was adhered to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (WHA) in 2013. Mining Lease 2M/2013 was excised from the WHA expressly for the purpose of extracting the carbonate resource. As with most carbonate deposits the Eddy Creek resource has associations with karst features. Detailed exploratory and survey works have been completed on the karst features in the vicinity of Eddy Creek. This work helped proponent and interested groups achieve confidence the extent of the karst formations was known. The footprint of the Eddy Creek Quarry was designed to avoid impacts on the karst features by being located lower in the catchment than the features and providing a considerable attenuation distance in excess of 100 metres to the significant karst features. Hydrogeological, flora and fauna surveys and studies suggest the extraction works as planned are unlikely to have an adverse effect on natural values. The greatest impact relating to the proposal is likely to be the visual impact of the exposed dolomite substrate. The high grade marbilised dolomite is almost pure white creating a distinct contrast with the dark green forest surrounding the site. Extraction activities commenced at the highest extent of the deposit and immediate rehabilitation works will be followed by progressive rehabilitation following stage 3 quarry development. At the end of the quarry’s productive life the site will be rehabilitated back to a forested landscape resembling the surrounding forested land. Once fully rehabilitated the mining lease will be surrendered and the land will be adhered to the surrounding WHA This development proposal and environmental management plan (DPEMP) has been prepared in accordance with a request from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) dated 7 November 2015 and provides the details of the proposal to increase the rate of production at the existing Eddy Creek Quarry. Integrated Land Management and Planning | Executive summary 2 Eddy Creek Quarry – Upgrade 25 October 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive summary ................................................................................................................................. 2 Figures ..................................................................................................................................................... 7 Tables ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 Abbreviations .......................................................................................................................................... 8 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 9 1.1 Proponent Background ........................................................................................................... 9 1.1.1 Proponent background ................................................................................................... 9 1.1.2 Proposal Background ...................................................................................................... 9 1.1.3 relationship with other operations ............................................................................... 10 1.1.4 Operational equipment ................................................................................................. 10 1.1.5 Environmental legislation, regulations, codes and policies .......................................... 10 2 Proposal description ..................................................................................................................... 11 2.1 General .................................................................................................................................. 11 2.1.1 Operation ...................................................................................................................... 12 2.2 Construction .......................................................................................................................... 14 2.2.1 Completed works .......................................................................................................... 14 2.2.2 Continued Stage 1 and Stage 2 Development .............................................................. 14 2.3 Commissioning ...................................................................................................................... 14 2.3.1 Preparation ................................................................................................................... 14 2.3.2 Extraction ...................................................................................................................... 15 2.3.3 Carting ........................................................................................................................... 15 2.3.4 Development staging .................................................................................................... 15 2.3.5 Quarry development footprint ..................................................................................... 15 2.4 General Location Map ........................................................................................................... 16 2.5 Site Plan ................................................................................................................................. 16 2.6 Off‐site Infrastructure ........................................................................................................... 21 3 Project Alternatives ....................................................................................................................... 21 3.1 Background ........................................................................................................................... 21 3.2 Justification ........................................................................................................................... 21 4 Public Consultation ....................................................................................................................... 22 5 The Existing Environment ............................................................................................................. 22 5.1 Planning Aspects ................................................................................................................... 22 5.1.1 World Heritage Area ..................................................................................................... 22 Integrated Land Management and Planning | Executive summary 3 Eddy Creek Quarry – Upgrade 25 October 2016 5.1.2 Public Land Classification .............................................................................................. 23 5.1.3 Huon Valley Interim Planning Scheme 2015 ................................................................. 23 5.1.4 Environmental Management Zone ............................................................................... 23 5.1.5 Landslide Code .............................................................................................................. 23 5.1.6 Authority to develop ..................................................................................................... 23 5.1.7 Maintenance and use of Eric Pettitts Road ................................................................... 24 5.2 Environmental Aspects ......................................................................................................... 24 5.3 Socio‐economic Aspects ....................................................................................................... 24 5.4 Alternative Sites .................................................................................................................... 24 6 Potential Effects and Their Management ....................................................................................