EIS 1100
Dunmore Sand and Soil Pty Ltd : environmental impact statement for the extension of sand extraction and backfilling
operations at the Dunmore Sand Quarry FiLe: L/0315
I NS DEPT PIMR INUS1R \l\\ll\l\\\l\l\l\\\l\\l\\l\\\\ll\\11\ \\ll\l\\\l\l\ 87 I ABO196 I I I DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD I (ACN 003 497 229) I I
I ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT I FOR THE I EXTENSION OF SAND EXTRACTION I AND BACKFILLING OPERATIONS AT THE I DUNMORE SAND QUARRY NSW DE\R13AENT OF 1 p MINERAL RESOURCES I 14 SEP 195 UBRARYJ I I Prepared by: R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I I I I I I DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD I I
I ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT 1 FOR THE I EXTENSION OF SAND EXTRACTION I AND BAKFJLLING OPERATIONS AT THE I DUNMORE SAND QUARRY I I , PREPAREI) BY: ON REIIA1.1 OF:
I Duncuore Sand and Soil Ply Ltd R. W. Corkerv & Co. Ptv Limited Geological & Environmental Consultants Buckley Road 75 Kite Street DUNMORE N.S.W. 2529 I ORANGE N.S.W. 2800 ACN : 002 033 712 ACN : 003 497 229
I Te Ic p hon e: (063) 62 54 Telephone: (042) 37 8414 I Facsimile: (063) 61 3622 Facsimile: (042) 37 8891 I
August 1995 Report No: 348/1 I 34$d1-111 iiore/eis95 I I I I I
COPYRIGHT I I I R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited 1995 I
All intellectual property and copyright reserved. I I Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part of this report may be reproduced by any process without written perrnission. I
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED -- I I I I I I I I I I FORM 2 I SUBMISSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) prepared under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979 Section 77 1 EIS prepared by:
I Name: Mr Robert Wiliiam Corkery Qualifications: B.Sc.(Hons), M. AppI.Sc. Address: 75 Kite Street I ORANGE N.S.W. 2800
I in respect of: Continued operation of the Dunmore Sand Quarry involving sand extraction, processing, blending and hackfilling with inert I solid wastes.
I)eveloprnent Application:
Applicant Name: Dunmore Sand and Soil Pty Ltd Applicant Address: Buckley Road DUNMORE N.S.W. 2529
I Land to be developed: Lot 2, DR 609762; and Lot 24, DR 3710 1 Parish: Terragon County: Camden
ENVI RONI\'IENTA L I MPACT STATEMENT
I An Environmental Impact Statement is attached.
CERTIFICATE: 1, Robert William Corkery, of 75 Kite Street, Orange, N.S.W., hereby I certity that I have prepared the contents of this Statement and to the best of my kno\\'ledge it is in accordance with Clauses 51 and 52 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation, 1994 and it is I true in Al material particulars and does not, by its presentation or omission of information, materially mislead. I Signal nrc:
F Name: ROBERT WILLIAM CORKERYQ
i Date: 11 CONTENTS
I 1 EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - Vii - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD I Contents I CONTENTS I Page Page I FORM 2 iii 2.4 EXTRACTION 25 2.4.1 Site Design 25 SUMMARY xiii 2.4.2 Extraction Procedure 27 I 2.4.3 Extraction Plan 28 SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION 2.4.4 Production Levels 29 I PREAMBLE 1 2.4.5 Dredging on Council Land 29 1.1 SCOPE 3 2.5 BACKFILLING OPERATIONS 29
1.2 FORMAT OF THE STATEMENT 6 2.5.1 Introduction 29 I 2.5.2 Waste Materials 30 1.3 THE COMPANY 7 2.5.3 Backfilling Procedures 30 1.4 BACKGROUND 7 2.5.4 Projected Level of Backfilling 30
I 1.5 THE EXISTING OPERATION 9 2.6 SAND PROCESSING, BLENDING AND STOCKPILING 31 1.5.1 Introduction 9 I 1.5.2 Dredging 9 2.6.1 Introduction 31 1.5.3 Processing 10 2.6.2 Washing Operations 31 1.5.4 Product Blending 10 2.6.2.1 Process 31 I 1.5.5 Products 15 2.6.2.2 Waste Water 32 1.5.6 Waste Disposal 15 2.6.3 Blending 32 1.5.7 Traffic Generation 15 2.6.4 Stockpiling 32
I 1.6 CONSULTATION WITH GOVERNMENT 2.7 TRANSPORTATION 32 AUTHORITIES AND SURROUNDING 2.7.1 Site Access 32 LANDOWNERS 16 2.7.2 On-Site Road Network 33 I 1.6.1 Government Authorities 16 2.7.3 Weighbridge 33 1.6.2 Surrounding Landowners 17 2.7.4 Product Despatch 33 I 1.7 ONGOING DOCUMENTATION 18 2.7.4.1 Routes 33 2.7.4.2 Traffic Levels 33 1.8 MANAGEMENT OF THE I INVESTIGATIONS 18 2.8 SERVICES 35 2.8.1 Power 35 SECTION 2: DESCRIPTION OF THE 2.8.2 Water 35 PROPOSAL I 2.8.3 Fuel 35 PREAMBLE 21 2.8.4 Sewage 35 2.8.5 Communications 35 2.1 OUTLINE OF THE PROPOSAL 23 I 2.9 HOURS OF OPERATION 36 2.1.1 Objectives 23 2.1.2 Overview of the Proposal 23 2.9.1 Dredging and Processing 36 I 2.1.3 Approvals Required 24 2.9.2 Sales and Product Despatch 36 2.2 THE PROJECT SITE 25 2.10 EMPLOYMENT 36 I 2.3 RESOURCES AND PRODUCTS 25 2.11 SAFETY AND SECURITY 36 I t4:7. R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD viii - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Contents
Page Page
2.12 REHABILITATION 37 3.4 GROUNDWATER 60
2.12.1 Objectives and Final 3.4.1 Introduction 60 Land Use 37 3.4.2 Occurrence 61 2.12.2 Final Landform 38 3.4.3 Groundwater Quality 62
2.12.3 Rehabilitation Procedures 41 3.5 SOILS AND LAND CAPABILITY 64 2.12.3.1 Central Spur 41 3.6 METEOROLOGY 64 2.12.3.2 Eastern Section 41 2.12.3.3 Northern Flat Area 42 3.6.1 Source of Data 64 2.12.3.4 Maintenance 42 3.6.2 Temperature 64 3.6.3 Rainfall 65 2.13 LIFE OF THE ACTIVITIES 42 3.6.4 Wind 65
2.13.1 Dredging 42 3.7 FLORA AND FAUNA 67
2.13.2 Sand Processing 3.7.1 Flora 67 and Blending 42 3.7.1.1 Introduction 67 2.13.3 Backfilling 43 3.7.1.2 Survey Methodology 69 2.13.4 Rehabilitation 43 3.7.1.3 Results 69 2.13.5 Project Life 43 3.7.1.4 SEPP 14 Wetlands 70 3.7.2 Fauna 70 2.14 DEVELOPMENT ALTERNATIVES 3.7.2.1 Introduction 70
2.14.1 Introduction 43 3.7.2.2 Survey Methodology 70 3.7.2.3 Results 71 2.14.2 Alternative Final Landforms and Rehabilitation 44 3.8 ZONING, LAND OWNERSHIP 2.14.3 Alternative Sand Sources 44 AND LAND USE 73 2.14.4 Alternative Waste Disposal 3.8.1 Zoning 73 Sites 46 3.8.2 Land Ownership 73 3.8.3 Nearby Residences 73 SECTION 3: DESCRIPTION OF THE 3,8.4 Land Use 75 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT 3.8.4.1 Introduction 75 3.8.4.2 Existing Surrounding PREAMBLE 47 Land Uses 3.8.4.3 Dunmore Recycling 3.1 TOPOGRAPHY 49 and Waste Disposal Depot 75
3.1.1 Regional Topography 49 3.8.4.4 Future Land Uses 78 3.1.2 Local Topography 49 3.9 NOISE 79 3.1.3 Project Site Topography 49 3.10 AIR OUALITY 81
3.2 GEOLOGY 51 3.11 ARCHAEOLOGY 81
3.3 DRAINAGE AND 3.12 SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS 81 WATER RESOURCES 53 3.13 TRANSPORTATION NETWORK 82 3.3.1 Introduction 53 3.14 SERVICES 82 3.3.2 Drainage Systems 53 3.14 SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS 108 3.3.3 Flooding Characteristics 56 3.3.4 Surface Water Quality 58 3.15 VISIBILITY 84
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - ix - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD I Contents I Page I Page
SECTION 4: ENVIRONMENTAL 4.7 TRANSPORTATION 103 SAFEGUARDS AND IMPACTS I 4.7.1 Introduction 103 PREAMBLE 87 4.7.2 Safeguards and 4.1 WATER MANAGEMENT 89 Management Procedures 103 I 4.7.3 Assessment of Impacts 104 4.1.1 Introduction 89 4.1.2 Safeguards and 4.8 SURROUNDING LANDOWNERS I Management Procedures 90 AND LAND USE 104 4.1.3 Assessment of Impact 91 4.9 ARCHAEOLOGY 106 4.1.3.1 Surface Water 91 I 4.1.3.2 Groundwater 92 4.10 SOCIO-ECONOMIC SETTING 106 4.1.4 Monitoring 93 4.11 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS 107 I 4.2 AIR QUALITY 94 4.2.1 Introduction 94 SECTION 5: EVALUATION OF THE 4.2.2 Potential Sources of Air PROPOSAL I Contaminants 94 4.2.3 Guidelines for Impact PREAMBLE 109 Assessment 94 5.1 JUSTIFICATION OF THE 4.2.4 Safeguards and I Management Procedures 95 PROPOSAL 111 4.2.5 Assessment of Impact 95 5.1.1 Introduction 111 I 4.3 SOIL MANAGEMENT 96 5.1.2 Biophysical Considerations 111 5.1.3 Economic Considerations 112 4.3.1 Introduction 96 5.1.4 Social Considerations 114 4.3.2 Soil Stockpiling Programme 96 I 4.3.3 Soil Erosion Controls 96 5.2 CONSEQUENCES OF NOT 4.3.4 Assessment of Impact 96 PROCEEDING WITH THE PROPOSAL 114 I 4.4 FLORA AND FAUNA 97 5.3 EVALUATION OF ECOLOGICAL 4.4.1 Flora 97 SUSTAINABILITY 115 4.4.2 Fauna 97 I 4.4.3 SEPP 14 Wetlands 99 5.3.1 Introduction 115 4.4.3.1 Safeguards 99 5.3.2 Principles of ESD 116 I .-9 Assessmentmt,'-,,. ...... f lmnt Inn 5.3.3 Conclusion 119 4.5 NOISE 100 REFERENCES 123 4.5.1 Introduction 100 I 4.5.2 Safeguards and Management Procedures 100 APPENDICES 4.5.3 Guidelines for Assessing I nioise impact 100 Appendix 1: Correspondence from 4.5.4 Assessment of Impact 101 Department of Urban Affairs and Planning 129 4.6 VISIBILITY 102 I Appendix 2: Correspondence from 4.6.1 Safeguards and Government Authorities 135 Management Procedures 102 Appendix 3: Energy Statement 141 I 4.6.2 Assessment of Impact 103 Appendix 4: Traffic Impact Assessment 145 I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD - x - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Contents
Pagel Page I
TABLES PLATES
1.1 A view of dredging activities 2.1 Projected Traffic Levels 33 at the Dunmore Sand Quarry 13 1.2 The washing plant at the 3.1 Surface Water Quality - Dunmore Sand Quarry 13 Dunmore Dredge Pond 60 1.3 The cyclone tower and cyclones with the conical stockpiles 3.2 Groundwater Quality Data 63 developing 13 3.3 Climatic Summary - 1.4 The mobile screening plant used Port Kembla and Dunmore 67 00 Site for screening and blending products 13 3.4 Existing Noise Levels 80 3.1 A view to the south-west 4.1 Sevem-Point Test of towares the Project Site from the entrance to the Significance - Dunmore - Killalea State Recreation Sand Quarry 98 Area 85 4.2 EPA Recommended Outdoor I 3.2 A view to the north-west towards the Project Site Background Noise Levels 101 from the Killalea State Recreation Area 85
I FIGURES
1.1 Locality Plan 4 1.2 Local Setting 5 1.3 Existing Operations 11
2.1 Proposed Site Layout 26 2.2 Traffic Distribution 34 2.3 Final Landform 39 2.4 Alternative Sand Sources 45
3.1 Project Site Environs 50 3.2 Geology 52 3.3 Drainage 55 3.4 Water Monitoring Locations 57
3.5 Wind Speed and Direction 66 3.6 Vegetation Communities 68 3.7 Land Zoning 72 3.8 Land Ownership 74 3.9 Surrounding Land Uses 76 3.10 Transportation Network 83 A Dunmore Sand Quarry Back of Document
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED SUMMARY 1 I I SUMMARY
I INTRODUCTION
I This Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared to accompany a Development Application by Dunmore Sand and Soil Pty Ltd (the Company) to I Sheliharhour Municipal Council for approval to extend the duration of existing activities within the Dunmore Sand Quarry. The principal activities on site include sand extraction, processing, blending and hackfilling with inert solid wastes. The I proposal for the continued operations relies upon the experience gained since activities commenced in 1987. Figure A positions the Dunmore Sand Quarry in its local I setting. The existing approval for the operation of the Dunmore Sand Quarry has one condition (Condition No. 7) that requires all extraction, backfilling and rehabilitation 1 activities to be completed by the 19th November 1995. That condition was imposed in 1984 based upon an estimate of the resources and the production rate proposed at that time. Since 1987, when activities commenced on site, the level of sand production has I been lower than that forecast in 1984 and it has also been established that there are more resources on site than originally indicated. Hence, the Company is seeking to extend the duration of the activities on site to allow the identified resource to be fully I extracted.
The EIS also includes reference to the inter-relationship between the sand extraction I and waste disposal activities on the adjoining Dunmore Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot. Opportunities could arise during the continued operations on the Dunmore I Sand Quarry for the Company to assist Shellharhour Municipal Council to extract the sand from its site and thereby maximise the recovery of the sand resources and waste disposal capacity on Council's land. Furthermore, since 1)0th sites are undertaking I waste disposal activities, it is considered desirable for the final lanclforms on both sites to be blended with one another. I I THE PROPOSAL
The Company proposes to continue to extract sand by dredging both the Project Site U and the adjoining Council land and, through on-site processing, produce a range of quality sand products over a period of 20 years. The void created through dredging I would continue to be progressively hackfilled with inert solid waste materials to form a stable landforrn which blends into that to be created by waste disposal on the adjoining property owned by Council. All products produced on site would be transported from I the site via the local road network.
R.W. COAKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED C:\RWC\ MN 348\FIG —ADWG a E
0 I—
Killalea State Recreation Area
Ki/lalea 2 Recreation Area
"Dunrnore House •
/
7 REFERENCE
Project Site Boundary River / Creek Contour (Interval = lOm)
Major Road I Railway Line Beach Minor Road Track Formed/Not Formed rTTT",J1T Cliff
Built up Area Residence Boundary of State Recreation Area Swamp / Wetland SCALE 1:15000 Figure A 250 0 250 500 750 m LOCAL SETTING
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED [1 I I The main features of the proposal are:
extraction of approximately 1 million tonnes of sand on the Project Site I by dredging to a depth of between 3 m and 16 m below the existing ground surface;
I extraction of at least I million tonnes of sand from the adjoining Council F] land by dredging to depths of 14 m below the existing ground surface; continuation of on-site processing, stockpiling and blending including the k use of imported sand and aggregates brought onto the site; I . construction and use of stockpile hays for blended products; hackfifling of all extracted areas with inert solid waste materials and creation of a positive flood-free Iandforrn over much of the site;
the retention of the eastern drainage channel in a form that provides the most appropriate surface water corridor between the SEPP 14 Wetlands I Nos 374a and 374h; and
progressive rehabilitation of the Project Site in a manner which satisfies a range of nominated land uses.
I A 25 years extension of the Development Consent is sought to undertake all of the above activities. Apart from the extension to the duration of on-site activities, the I Company is seeking to amend and/or delete some of the conditions in the existing Consent given they are not entirely applicable to the Company's existing operations or have been identified as inappropriate based on experience to date. I Figure B displays the existing layout and the proposed limit of extraction and Figure C displays the proposed final landform. An important feature of the rehabilitation of the I eastern side of the Project Site is the provision of a long term surface water corridor between SEPP 14 Wetlands Nos 374a and 3741). The Company intends to offer the eastern section of their freehold land for sale to the managers of the Killalea State I Recreation Area at the completion of rehabilitation activities in that area.
I THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
I The Dunmore Sand Quarry is located at the end of the formed section of Buckley Road immediately east of the Dunmore Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot (Figure A). The Company's land (the Project Site) is located on a flat backwater area I of the Rocklow Creek Catchment that is underlain by predominantly sandy sediments.
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED C\RWC\348\IIG-B.DWC Northern Roadway Piped Culvert s2.0m AHD Beneath Roadway Invert = 1.3m, AHD
FORMER DUNE SAND EXTRACTION AREA E (Further Extraction 2.2 By Excavator) lOm TO BECOME SOIL STORAGE AREA ature Strio
Fuel Tanks
1.9
\ Invert of Rocklow Creek \ Drainage Channel
Lot 24 REFERENCE D.P. 3710
...... Project Site Boundary (fenced) ,-•-.--- Dredge Pond (open water)
Remnant Regrowth Lot2 Area Backfilled with Inert Solid Wastes D.P. 609762 Track / Limit of Extraction to July, 1995 / — Proposed Limit of Extraction
+ 2 0 Spot Height (m. AHD) DETAILS Power Line
SCALE 1:4000 Figure B 50 0 50 700 150 200 m PROPOSED SITE LAYOUT
5 R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I I C:\RWC\348\rIC-C.DWG MN Northern Roadway Piped Culvert 2.0m. AHD Beneath Roadway I Invert 1.3m. AHD
4.7 4 Dune Sand Extraction Area I BacklIlled With '110r • Solid Inert O i Waste Materiale I 1 4H + / 20
N 1 - I I 2.5+ I + Rock Lined / I 1 3 Chute
I 8.0 4.0
1+00 W I 1 Eastern Perimeter 12 \ Roadway Proposed Elevated \+ \ Landform on Dunmore I Recycling and Waste 4.7 Disposal Depot + I + '• Eastern — Drainage Channel Southern - 2 I Boundary Levee / 10 Rocklow I Creek I REFERENCE Project Site Boundary (fenced)
Area to be Offered for Sale to N Dept of Land and Water Conservation I Remnant Swamp Oak Forest
Track I A Batter Slope - Direction of Runoff I I- 2 0 Spot Height (m, AHD)
I SCALE 1:4000 50 0 50 100 150 200 m Figure C I FINAL LANDFORM I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED The Project Site has been the subject of sand extraction activities since 1987. However, the land was previously used for market gardening for almost 90 years it was cleared in the 1890s. Two remnant stands of Swamp Oak Forest are present near the northern boundary of the Project Site and a narrow-band of Banksia Woodland is present on the eastern side of the Project Site.
Proclaimed wetlands are located to both the north and south of the Project Site, namely SEPP Wetlands Nos 374a and 374h (Figure A). The construction of the northern roadway on the Project Site has marginally raised the level of surface water in SEPP Wetland No. 374b which has been assessed as beneficial to the wetland by retarding the surface water flow away from the wetland, thus encouraging birdlife and discouraging grazing.
The Project Site is also located adjacent to the western boundary of the Killalea State Recreation Area and to the south of land owned by Illawarra Electricity. The Illawarra Electricity land is currently planned for use as a golf course surrounding the SEPP Wetland No. 374h and in turn would be surrounded by residential allotments on the higher surrounding topography.
The sandy sediments, currently being extracted, vary in depth from 3 m to 16 m across the Project Site. Groundwater flow through the sands is limited to the top few metres as evidenced by the lack of oxidation in the sands and the less saline water near the surface. Very low hydraulic gradients are evident across the Project Site from north to south. The deeper sands, where there is negligible (if any) groundwater movement, are saline reflecting both their origin and connection to saline groundwater areas associated with the Minnarnurra River estuary. The water in the dredge pond is saline reflecting the mixing of waters from the higher and lower sections of the aquifer.
The Project Site lies within the Rocklow Creek floodplain and is inundated periodically through water backing up Rocklow Creek at the times when the Minnamurra River is in flood. The upslope 2 km2 catchment can also cause flooding of the Project Site to a lesser extent. The bulk of water from this catchrnent flows through the Project site via the eastern drainage channel (Figure B). However, a small amount of water also passes through the sands beneath the Project Site.
No endangered fauna were recorded on the Project Site (luring fauna surveys, although some endangered fauna could occur in the vicinity of the Project Site. The dredge pond contains a range of fish species similar in type to those in the Minnamurra River, indicating that they probably entered the pond as juveniles in a period of flooding.
The closest residences are to the north of the Project Site on land owned by Illawarra Electricity (one residence - "Killarney) and to the west in Dunmore village. Noise levels at these residences are dominated by traffic noise on Shellharbour Road and the Princes Highway. Existing operations are rarely audible in Dunmore village.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I r I SAFEGUARDS AND IMPACTS I The Company currently operates the Dunmore Sand Quarry with a range of design and operational safeguards and management and operating procedures to ensure the on-site activities do not adversely affect the surrounding environment. It is proposed that these safeguards and procedures continue to be employed together with additional safeguards and procedures considered appropriate for ongoing activities. The principal safeguards and impacts are as follows: I acceptable surface water quality on the Project Site and flowing from the Project Site during flooding, would he achieved by a range of I measures including early cessation of dredging (to allow fine materials to settle), strict controls on the receipt of wastes delivered on site and I hunded fuel tanks;
1 lower hydraulic conductivities of the backfilled inert solid waste materials (compared to the insitu sand) would marginally reduce the I natural flow and groundwater storages in the upper few metres of the site. Below these depths, the presence of a material of lower permeable would have negligible impact upon groundwater flow as the flow in 1 these areas is naturally extremely low; I the presence of a marginally lower permeable material within the backfilled dredge pond would slightly retard groundwater flows from the I area of SEPP 14 Wetland No. 374h and is assessed as beneficial for the integrity of the wetland; I
it is predicted that the Project Site would continue to he flooded I periodically by water backing up from the Minnamurra River. However, the periods of inundation would he of short duration only. The impacts of flooding would he negligible given (i) above and the preventative I procedures adopted at a time of potential flooding; I air quality around the Project Site would not he adversely affected since most of the products on site are damp. When the materials are blended I within the powerscreen, water can he added to control dust, if required;
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED the soils removed to date have been sold (after blending with various sand products). However, the extent of future soil sales would he limited given the Company intends to stockpile the required quantity of soils to assist in the rehabilitation of the corridor on the eastern side of the Project Site;
no adverse impacts are predicted for the fauna known or likely to occur on the Project Site. The creation of a vegetated corridor between SEPP 14 Wetlands Nos 374a and 374b is assessed as beneficial;
noise generated by on-site activities and project-related traffic is not expected to he a problem for nearby residents given the presence of other more dominant noise sources;
the secluded location of the Project Site, together with a range of visual controls, would ensure the visual impact of the continued operations would he negligible;
project-related traffic would continue to represent between 10 to 20 per cent of traffic on Buckley Road and less than 5 per cent of traffic on Shellharbour Road;
the continued operation of sand extraction at the Dunmore Sand Quarry would enable the Company to continue to supply a range of sand and blended products throughout the Illawarra region. The continuation of dredging operations would also provide Shellharbour Municipal Council with an opportunity to earn ratepayers between $2 and $3 million from the recovery of the deeper sands on their site that might otherwise be sterilised; and
the continuation of hackfilling activities would provide the building and civil engineering industries with a cost-effective means of disposal of inert solid wastes.
CONCLUSION
The proposal to continue to extract, process and blend sand and backfill the void with inert solid wastes has been assessed as a worthwhile project given the need for the various products and void space. It has been assessed that, with the design proposed and implementation of appropriate design and operational safeguards, the Dunmore Sand Quarry would not have an adverse impact upon the local environment during and after its operation.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED -1-
SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION
PREAMBLE
This section introduces the proposal for the extension of operations at the Dunmore Sand Quarry and reviews:
the Company;
the background to the proposal;
the existing operations;
the products that would continue to be extracted, processed, and blended;
ongoing documentation; and
the consultation undertaken with relevant Government Authorities.
The personnel involved in the preparation of the document are also outlined. LI EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 3 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PlY LTD I Section 1 - IntrodUctiOn 1 1.1 SCOPE This Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared to accompany a I Development Application by Dunmore Sand and Soil Pty Ltd (the Company) to Sheliharbour Municipal Council, for approval to extend the duration of existing activities within the Dunmore Sand Quarry. The quarry is located approximately 4 km I south-west of Sheliharbour and approximately 7 in north of Kiama (Figure 1.1). In its local setting, the quarry is located approximately 0.6 km east of the Princes Highway and the Dunmore Railway Station and a similar distance from the shoreline I (Figure 1.2). Throughout this document, the land on which the DLI nrnore Sand Quarry is located is referred to as the "Project Site".
I The extension of the duration of activities, if approved, would provide the Company with the opportunity to conti in e to supply a range of quality raw materials used by I constructIon and horticultural industries predominantly throughout the Illawarra region.
I The Company's existing approval (84/55) periiiits the extraction of approximately 500 000 m3 of sand from the Project Site, the amount of sand nominated in the original Development Application. Although approximately 400 000 m3 has been extracted to I date, it has been established that the deposit of sand on the Project Site is larger than first indicated.
I One condition of the existing approval (Condition No. 7) requires the completion of mining, filling and rehabilitation of the site within a period of eight (8) years from commencement of work". 1-lence, an amended consent is requ red to extend the period I of operations on site to complete sand extraction, backfiliing and rehabilitation activities. This document provides the necessary i niormation and environmental I assessment to enable various activities within the Dunmore Sand Quarry to continue to operate for a period of up to 25 years beyond the 19th Nove nlber 1995. 1 The extension sought for the activities in the quarry relates principally to the duration of the activities, since the area of activities is the same as the area currently approved. However, this document also presents the opportunities for dredging and processing I sand from the adjoining recycling and waste disposal depot operated by Shellharbour Municipal Council.
I The information presented about the proposal, its setting, the proposed environmental safeguards and assessed environmental impacts incorporates all documented issues raised by Shelillarbour Municipal Council and other relevant Local and State I Government Authorities with an interest ill the on-site activities. I The extension of activities within the Du nmore Sand Quarry are categorised as "designated development" within the provisions of Schedule 3 of the Environmental ' Planning and Assessment Regulation, 1994 and as such requires an EIS to accompany the Development Application I odged wit Il Con IlCi I.
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMCED DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD - 4 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section 1 - Introduction
C:\RWC\348\FIG1 —1 .DWC KOONAWARPA BAY TN MN TAT/A WARR4 POINT LAKE
IL LA WARRA 0 WINDANG BEVA NS WOLLINGURRY POINT 000NERAN POINT HA YWAROS SAY
WARRI GAI WAPILLA
KWA t
BASS POINT DUNMORE 1 J.A1O1EY3 I I Creek PROJECT SITE Rock/0.,
0 - MI//NAMURRA - - - PONT
KIAMA DOWNS ujonomurro
JAMF3EROO
BOMUD REFERENCE K/AMA JERRARA HARBOUR Major Road Jerroro Creek BLOW POLE POINT Dom KIAMA / ----- Minor Road STORM BAY =- Watercourse
'- Railway Line
Elil Built up Area Swamp Area
7 SCALE 1:100000 0 1 2 3 4 5km Figure 1.1 LOCALITY PLAN
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 5 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD I Section 1 - InttItictioii C:\RWC\348\FIC1 —2 DWC MN I SS to KiIi-I-, o I / I 0 Kit/a lea State Recreation Area I \_ I I I I ' State Recreation I / Area I 41)
I ±I7 See Plate 'A' \ 4i (At back of document)
I Cr
\ . TASMAN I \ SEA 'Dooroore Hoose7 • I /
I REFERENCE
Project Site Boundary 7"- River / Creek Contour (Interval z lOm) I Major Road Railway Line Beach Minor Road Formed/Not Formed Track Cliff
Built up Area U Residence - - Boundary of State Recreation Area I 'J Swamp / Wetland SCALE 1:15000 Figure 1.2 250 0 250 500 750 m 1 LOCAL SETTING
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED
DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD - 6 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section 1 - Introduction I 1.2 FORMAT OF THE STATEMENT F1 This EIS has been written in five sections with a set of appendices. The requirements of Clause 51 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation, 1994, and the specific requirements of the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (Appendix 1) and other Government Authorities (Appendix 2). have been addressed in the most appropriate section(s) of the document. Apart from outlining the specific issues to be addressed, Appendices I and 2 also list where each issue is addressed in this document. A copy of all relevant correspondence from Government Authorities is held by Shellharhour Municipal Council and may be inspected in normal business hours during the exhibition period of this document. The format of the document is as follows:
Section 1: introduces the proposal, its background and the Company, and reviews the existing operation and the proposed ongoing docu mentation associated with the various activities on site.
Section 2: outlines the Company's objectives and approvals sought and details the continued operation, both in terms of quarrying and backfilling with inert solid waste materials. Alternative sources of sand and other development alternatives are reviewed.
Section 3: describes the components of the existing environment within and surrounding the Project Site. Where appropriate, issues arising from the description of the existing environment are identified and the need for additional design and/or operational safeguards highlighted.
Section 4: presents the design and operational safeguards and management piocedures that are already adopted on site or that have been incorporated i nt() the proposal to protect the local environment around the Project Site. This section also analyses the impact the safeguarded quarry would have on the surrounding environment as it continues to operate.
Section 5: justifies the proposed quarry extension in terms of hiophysical, economic and social considerations and evaluates the proposal in the context of ecologically sustainable development. The consequences of not proceeding with the quarry extension are also outlined.
References: document the various scientific papers referenced together with the reports prepared specifically for this proposal.
5 R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 7 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD Section 1 - Introduction I
Appendices: presents correspondence from the Department of Planning, I summary tables identifying where specific issues identified by other Authorities are addressed in this document, an Energy I Statement and a Traffic Assessment.
This document is supported by two reports prepared by specialist consultants I commissioned by R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited on behalf of the Company. The subject matter of the reports and the authors are set out below:
I - Hydrology/Hydrogeology : Patterson Britton and Partners Pty Limited and C.M. Jewell and Associates Pty Limited; I - Flora, Fauna and Aquatic Studies : Kevin Mills and Associates Pty Limited and The Ecology Lab Pty Limited. I
1 1.3 THE COMPANY Dunmore Sand and Soil Pty Ltd is a private Company engaged in land development, I house building, general investment, and the quarrying/marketing of construction materials. Operation of the Dunmore Sand Quarry is currently its major sand project. The Company's two principal directors are Mr Kerry Steggles and Mr John Cornish, I both with considerable experience in the industrial and construction materials industries. Mr Steggles is a Tertiary qualified geologist with over 30 years of experience in the non-metallic minerals and construction materials industries as well I as being the principal of K.R. Steggles and Associates Pty Limited, mineral development and geological consultants. Mr Cornish currently operates soil and sand I extraction companies in the Camden area and the retail chain "Materials in the Raw".
1 1.4 BACKGROUND ' A proposal to extract sand from the Project Site was first submitted to Sheliharbour Municipal Council in 1984 when Tor Pty Limited, then the owner of the Project Site, lodged a Development Application accompanied by an EIS. At that time, it had been estimated that approximately 500 000 m3 or 750 000 tonnes of sand could be extracted I from the site over a five to six year period at a rate of approximately 100 000 m3 or 150 000 tonnes per annum (tpa). Development Consent was granted for the extraction and processing of sand on the I 19th November 1984. The consent (No. 84/55) was amended on the 8th October 1987 and activities commenced on site on the 19th November 1987 by the then new owner, I Menangle Sands and Soil Pty Ltd. Dunmore Sand and Soil Pty Ltd purchased the property and continued with extraction operations soon after activities commenced on site. Since commencing operations on site, the Company has been extracting sand at a I rate of between 40 000 tpa and 100 000 tpa. This reduction in the production rate
1 1R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PlY LTD - 8 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section 1 - Introduction
(compared to the approved rate of extraction), together with the defi ni non of deeper and therefore additional sand resources on the Project Site, has meant that only approximately 40 per cent of the sand resources on the Project Site have been extracted to date. When backfilling commenced on site in 1989, the rate of receipt of inert building and sub-division solid wastes was low (<500 m3 per year). However, the rate of receipt of wastes has gradually increased to the current situation where approximately 12 000 m3 of wastes were delivered to the site in 1994/1995. The rate of waste receipts increased substantially in the final quarter of 1994/995 to the extent that a future annual rate of waste receipts approaching 45 000 m3 is feasible. Since commencing to backfill the areas fully extracted, the Company's records suggest that approximately 30 000 m3 of inert solid waste materials have been delivered to the site. The Company has been operating generally in accordance with the conditions of the existing Development Consent although there are - some conditions relating to monitoring and reporting that have not been complied with through agreement with Council's officers and the EPA. In addition, there are some conditions that are either impractical or impossible to comply with as they are no longer relevant, or site conditions have changed to the extent that compliance is no longer necessary. In most cases, more appropriate environmental management has been achieved by adjusting practices on site. In March 1992, Council drew the Company's attention to the apparent non-compliance with the various conditions and sought either:
compliance with the Consent Conditions; or
the Company to lodge a Development Application seeking to amend the consent to enable a practical, workable consent as the basis for continued operations.
Given Condition 7 of the consent required the Company to ... complete mining, filling of the site within a period of eight (8) years from commencement of work and the status of both sand extraction and backfilling activities, the Company decided that it would he appropriate to seek the amendment to the consent suggested by Council, that is, for the remaining projected life of sand extraction and backfilling activities. The Company is supportive of Cou ncil's approach to achieve a mr more workable consent than the present consent. Since March 1992, the Company and a number of advising consultants have examined the existing operation with the objective of extending the operational life of the project. It was also the ohjecti\'e to maximise the recovery of the sand resource whilst extracting it in an environmentally responsible manner. During the period from May 1993 to July 1995, the Company has continued to operate the on-site activities and, together with various consultants, accumulate data principally on the surface water and groundwater interaction. The EIS has therefore been
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED
EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 9 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD I Section 1 - Introduction
completed with sufficient time for Council to determine the Company's Development I Application prior to the 19th November 1995. I 1.5 THE EXISTING OPERATION
I 1.5.1 Introduction A brief outline of the existing operations is provided in this section to enable readers I to gain an appreciation of the current status of activities on the Project Site prior to considering the extension of those activities. Figure 1.3 displays the existing site layout and Plate A (at the hack of this document) presents an aerial photograph of the I Project Site and its immediate surrounds. The four poncipal activities undertaken on the Project Site at present comprise: I dredging of sand;
F] processing of sand;
blending of sand and soil products and recovered processing wastes with I i mportecl (ltl any products; and I backfil Ii ng the excavated areas with inert solid waste materials.
Activities (i), (ii) and (iii) are typical activities undertaken by extractive industries, all I of which are a permissible land use on the Project Site with consent from Council.
1.5.2 Dredging The Company currently uses two dredges on the Project Site, namely:
a 200 tph suction dredge used mainly for recovery of sand from within I the dredge pond; and • a smaller 25 tph suction dredge used principally for dredging activities in I confined areas and for re-dredging process tailings returned to the dredge pond after processing.
Dredging is currently undertaken on a campaign basis with the larger dredge operating for between 3 and 5 days at a time. The dredge (Plate 1.1) operates for between 100 and 200 days each year subject to product demand. The smaller dredge is used I intermittently as required and is generally operated for approximately 10 days per year. AJI dredging is undertaken by contract. The existing dredge pond covers an area of I approximately 3.9 ha and contains an estimated 300 000 ni3 of water.
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD - 10 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section 1 - Introduction
The rate of dredging reflects the rate of sales of the various products produced on site from the dredged materials. The Company typically produces sufficient dredged sand to yield between 75000 and 90 000 tonnes of sand annually. In 1994/ 1 995 the quantity of sand produced on Site was marginally higher at nearly 105 000 t. However, the production rate was uncharacteristically high due to a range of individual circumstances. The Company expects ongoing production to return to approximately 60 000 to 90 000 tonnes per year.
1.5.3 Processing
The processing of sand on site is undertaken using a simple sand washing plant positioned within a hackfilled area approximately 150 in east of the western boundary of the Project Site (Figure 1.3).
The dredged sand slurry is pumped directly to the plant (Plate 1.2) which comprises a double deck vibrating screen. The principal function of the washing plant is to remove all clay balls, sticks, shells, peat, gravel etc. from the sand and to remove any fine silt and clay also present in the sand. Approximately 90 to 95 per cent of the materials that pass through the washing plant are recovered as sand products (Plate 1.3). The remaining reject materials are returned to the dredge pond either as fine materials in the return water (tailings) or coarse materials that are periodically tipped into the pond with the normal backfill materials. Details of the sand washing acti\fities are presented in Section 2.5.
1.5.4 Product Blending
Over the past few years, the Company has developed a number of markets for products blended from on-site sand and soil and fine-grained tailings materials washed from the sand products. The on-site materials are blended with a range of imported aggregates and other sands using a mobile screening plant. All imported materials and blended products are stockpiled within the product stockpile and blending area (Figure 1.3). During 1994/1995, the Company brought onto the Project Site a total of 74 328 tonnes of other construction materials such as aggregates and sand. These materials were screened on site and blended with approximately 25 000 tonnes of sand produced on site to yield approximately 100 000 tonnes of blended products. It is noted that approximately 24 000 tonnes of the imported materials were from the adjoining sand extraction operation operated by Shell harbour Mu nicipal Cou neil.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED - 11 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section 1 - Introductioii
C:\RWC\345\FIG1 —3.EJWG Northern MN Roadway Piped Culvert s2.0m, AHD Beneath Roadway Invert = 1.3m, AHD
DUNE SAND :XTRAcTION AREA K almost depleted)
'II
DUNMORE EASTERN 1.4 RECYCLING & DRAINAGE Fuel Tanks WASTE DISPOSAL CHANNEL DEPOT 1.9 J mATIOII ELEVAT10N PROJECT SITE PROCESS \ PROJECT SITE BOUNDARY 20 20- BACKFILLED SAND 4.0 _ AREA / 10 1.4 + LEVEL 0
-10 1.5 +
-20
3.2 Eastern ) xs4)1 \ Perimeter + \Roaday SECTION A—A' 1.5 / 4.7 /-3 3.9
1.5<2'/ \ Eastern Drainage \ Channel
TO Invert of Rocklow 4 eek Drainage Channel 7 1.15m. AHD REFERENCE NORTHERN ROADWAY ELfVATION ELLVATJ0 PROJECT SITE - - -. Project Site Boundary (fenced) PROJECT SITE N . - BOUNDARY BOUNDARY 20 20 I SAND I Dredge Pond (open water)
0 --- --
Pwcess T&Ungs (fine silts and clays)
-20 -20 Area Backfilled with Clean Fill (To July, 1995)
Track SECTION B—B' Limit of Extraction to July, 1995
--2.0 Spot Height (m,AHD)
Power Line
SCALE 1:4000 Figure 1.3 50 0 50 100 150 200 m EXISTING OPERATIONS
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED 1 EIS DUNMORE SAND QUARRY 13 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD I Seclioii I I I I F] I Li I
Plate 1.1: A view of dredging actIvities at the DLI Plate 1.3: The cyclone tower and cyclones with conical stockpiles developing I nniore Sand Quari-y (Ref: 348F/3) (Ref: 348F/8) I 1 I Li I JMI I -L i$ II T1T - • - I -p. _? )_;..
_4 • - . I H •-.... I - Plate 1.2: The washing plant at the Dunmore Sand Quarry (Ref: 348F/2) Plate 1.4: The mobile screening plaIll used on site for screening and blending products (Ref: 34SF/Il)
I R.W.CORKERY & Co PlY LIMITED L EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 15 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PlY LTD I Section 1 Inti-othiclion 1 1.5.5 Products The dredging, processing and blending activities outlined above yield a range of products that are used predominantly in the construclion and horticultural industries. I The principal products produced nclude:
I . a premium fine-grained concrete sand; I . two grades of filling sand; four grades of soil; and
a range of proprietory blended products such as a high grade compaction I The Company's principal objective in producing the above products is to responsibly maximise the value of the products produced from the sand present on the Project I Site.
1.5.6 Waste Disposal The Company has currently backfilled approximately 1.5 ha of the former dredge pond. Inert solid waste materials are currently drawn principally from demolition sites I and new sub-division areas within a distance of 40 km of Dunmore. 1-lowever, at times, small quantities of waste materials are delivered from as far away as Sydney, often l because of the opportu nity to backload other commodities. The Company is currently receiving approximately 5 000 m of waste materials per month, generally in 10 rn3 to IS ni loads. This level of waste receipts relates to specific construction projects underway at present and is unlikely to be sustained on an annual basis. The Company is currently budgetting upon the receipt of 30 000 m3 of wastes in 1995/1996. All wastes are currently unloaded onto a pad area adjacent to the dredge pond. The wastes are inspected at the time of unloading and once sufficient quantity of materials I are accumulated, they are pushed beyond the end of the pad into the dredge pond to extend the area of the pad.
1.5.7 Traffic Generation The sale of sands, soils and blended prodicts, uid dcl very of waste materials, I generates traffic along Buckley Road (Figure 1.2). Based on average production levels
of approximately 2 300 1 per week and incoming waste levels of approximately 600 ni3 I per week, truck movements vary from 100 to 200 per week or 10 to 50 per day. During busy periods in 1994/1995 when the Company was supplying both sand and blended products at above normal rates, the number Of truck movements per day approached I the level of 80 per day. It is noted that approximately 20 per cent of the trucks
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD - 16 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section / - Introduction delivering products for blending or waste materials leave the Project Site with a load of sand or blended products. Small vehicle movements generally average less than 20 per day.
1.6 CONSULTATION WITH GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES AND SURROUNDING LANDOWNERS
1.6.1 Government Authorities
The following Authorities were consulted by R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited on behalf of the Company clu ring the preparation of the EIS:
Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (formerly Department of Planning) - Sydney;
Shell harbour Mu n i ci pal Co Li nci I - Blackb un;
Kiama Council - Kiama;
Department of Public Works - Woilong )fl
Roads and Traffic Authority Wollongong;
NSW Fisheries - Nowra;
National Parks and Wildlife Service - Nowra
Department of Mineral Resources - Sydney;
Department of Land and Water Conservation (formerly Department of Conservation and Land Management) - Wol longong and Shellharbour; and
Environment Protection Authority - Wo II Ongo 11g.
Correspondence from the Department of Planning is included as Appendix 1 together with a summary table identifying where each of the Director's specific requirements is addressed in the Statement.
A summary table identifying the issues raised by Council and other Government Authorities, and where each issue is addressed within the Statement, is included as Appendix 2.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 17 DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD I Section 1 - Introduction 1 1.6.2 Surrounding Landowners During the preparation of the EIS, the Company and/or R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty 1 Limited consulted with the three adjoining landowners, namely: . Sheliharbour Municipal Council - owners and operators of the I Dunmore Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot; . Department of Land and Water Conservation - administrators of the I Killalea State Recreation Area; and
. Illawarra Electricity - owners of the land to the north of the Project I Site including the small wetland to the north designated as SEPP 14 Wetland No. 374b.
The above features are identified on Figure 1.2. The Company has maintained periodic contact with the Engineering Services I Department of Council with respect to matters of mutual interest. Discussions have been held with Council with respect to commercial opportunities to dredge the sand I on the Dunmore Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot (operated by Council) that might otherwise be sterilised by advancing waste disposal activities. The Department of Land and Water Conservation has expressed interest in acquiring I the Project Site at the expiration of the operations on site. Further negotiations are proposed with the Department given the Company's desire to maintain a substantial proportion of the backfilled land on their freehold land for ongoing commercial I activities. The proposal set out in this document recognises the benefits of subdividing the eastern section of the Project Site from the area required by the Company in order I to provide approximately 5 ha of land that has a direct connection between the wetlands to the north and south of the Project Site. Illawarra Electricity is currently seeking the re-zoning of sections of its land north of I the Project Site. The intended land uses are a combination of light industrial along Buckley Road and residential development on the elevated areas in the northern I section of their land-holding. Illawarra Electricity envisages the small wetland to the north of the Project Site would be surrounded by a golf course which would provide a buffer between the wetland and residential areas to the north. I In July 1995, the Company met with representatives of both Sheliharbour Municipal Council and Illawarra Electricity and some local residents at a meeting convened by the Environment Protection Authority. At that meeting it was recognised that a I number of proposals by all parties were currently under consideration and that it was important that all proposed activities that could potentially affect the proclaimed I wetlands near and adjacent to Rocklow Creek (Figure 1.2) should be co-ordinated to ensure there are no unacceptable impacts on the proclaimed wetlands. Apart from the activities proposed by Shellharbour Municipal Council and Illawarra Electricity, it was I recognised at the meeting that the operation of other activities adjacent to Rocklow
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD - 18 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section 1 - Introduction
Creek (e.g. Kiama Council's waste disposal depot) should also he incorporated in the overall management strategies for the Protection of the proclaimed wetlands near and adjacent to Rocklow Creek. It was also clarified at the meeting that the land on which Dunmore Sand and Soil Pty Ltd operates is in fact freehold land owned by the Company.
The Company intends to maintain close contact with all neighbours to enable issues of mutual interest to he regularly discussed.
1.7 ONGOING DOCUMENTATION
The Company recognises that there is substantial benefit for the ongoing documentation for its operation to be incorporated with the docu mentation prepared for the adjoining recycling and waste disposal depot operated by Shellharbour Municipal Council. It is envisaged that a loint annual report (or similar document) is prepared setting out:
the activities undertaken on both sites during the previous 12 months with respect to sand extraction, waste disposal and rehabilitation;
the actIvities planned on both sites during the following 12 months with respect to sand extraction, waste disposal and rehabilitation;
. areas of common interest with respect to environmental management; and
the results and evaluation of monitoring act vi lies HuH ng the past 12 months and proposals for monitoring in the following 12 months.
The exact form of the docLimentation is to he the subject of further discussions with relevant Government Authorities.
1.8 MANAGEMENT OF THE INVESTIGATIONS
The preparation of the EIS has been managed by Mr Rob Corkerv, B.Sc.(Hons), M.Appl.Sc., Principal of R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited, Geological and Environmental Consultants. Also involved in the document's preparation have been the Managing Director of Dun more Sand and Soil Pty Ltd, Mr Kerry Steggles, B.E.(Hons) and Miss Cleta Coleman B.Env.Sc., Environmental Scientist with R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIM1ED I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 19 DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD I Section 1 - Iii troductioii
Four specialist consultants were engaged to assist in the preparation of the Supporting I documentation for the EIS. The consulting firms comprised:
I Patterson Britton and Partners Pt)' Ltd - Hydrological Studies; I C.M. Jewell and Associates Ply Limited - Hydrogeological Studies; Kevin Mills & Associates Pt)' Limited - Flora and Fauna Studies; and
I The Ecology Lab. Pty Ltd - Aquatic Fa nil a Studies.
I For the ease of review and ensuring consistency, the above Studies have been combined into two reports namely: I Hyd ro logy and 1-lyd rogeo logy; antI
I Flora, Fauna and Aquatic Studies. I I I I I I I I I I
I R.W. CORKER'' & CO. PlY LIMITED - 21 -
SECTION 2
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL
PREAMBLE
This section details the proposal and the Company's objec- tives for the continuation of sand extraction and backfilling activities at the Dunmore Sand Quarry. The plans for soil removal, dredging, backffiling and, where appropriate, pro- gressive revegetation of the final Ian dform are reviewed.
Emphasis is placed throughout this section upon presenting the Company's plans in a conceptual manner, particularly with respect to the final landform. It is envisaged that more detailed plans would be formulated throughout the life of the project to LI ensure the activities reflect relevant constraints at the time.
This section also outlines the potential for integration of the I various activities on site with some of those planned for the adjoining recycling and waste disposal depot operated by She//harbour Municipal Council. I This section concludes with a review of feasible development alternatives considered throughout the planning of the ongoing operation of the quarry. I Details of the Company's proposals to manage surface and groundwater issues, potential impacts on nearby wetlands and air, soil and noise are presented in Section 4. I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 23 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PlY LTD I Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
2.1 OUTLINE OF THE PROPOSAL
2.1.1 Objectives The Company's objectives for the continued operation of the Dunmore Sand Quarry are:
(i) to provide a range of quality sand products for use in the construction I and horticultural industries and similar fields; (ii) to provide a range of blended products manufactured on site using the I various site products and waste materials and, at times, imported sand and aggregates;
I (iii) to provide a satisfactory site for placement of inert solid waste materials; I (iv) to undertake extraction, processing and product despatch in a manner that does not unduly affect the natural environment, surrounding land uses or adjoining neighbours; and
(v) to ensure that the final landform and rehabilitation of the site provides for both a long term income-producing land use for the bulk of the site and the required surface water connection between the SEPP 14 Wetlands Nos 374a and 374b.
2.1.2 Overview of the Proposal The Company proposes to continue to extract sand by dredging both on the Project Site and the adjoining Council land and, through on-site processing, produce a range I of quality sand products over a period of approximately 20 years. The void created through dredging would continue to be progressively backfilled with inert solid waste materials to form a landform that blends into the adjoining landform to be similarly I created by waste disposal on the adjoining property owned by Council. All products produced on site would be transported from the site via the local road network. The I main features of the proposal are:
extraction of approximately 1 million tonnes of sand on the Project Site by dredging to a depth of between 3 m and 16 m below the existing ground surface;
extraction of at least 1 million tonnes of sand on the adjoining Council land by dredging down to depths of 14 m below the existing ground I surface;
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PlY LTD - 24 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
continuation of on-site processing, stockpiling and blending including the use of imported sand and aggregates brought onto the site;
construction and use of stockpile bays for blended products;
backfilling of all extracted areas with inert solid waste materials and creation of a positive flood-free landform over much of the site;
the retention of the eastern drainage channel in a form that provides the most appropriate surface water corridor between the SEPP 14 Wetlands Nos 374a and 374b; and
progressive rehabilitation of the Project Site in a manner which satisfies a range of nominated land uses.
An extension of 25 years of the development consent is sought to undertake all of the above activities.
During the planning of continued operations on the Project Site, it has been necessary to review the existing operational and management procedures and design safeguards and establish the need for additional procedures and safeguards to ensure the environmental impacts of the continued operations are acceptable. The procedures and safeguards are presented in detail in Section 4 of this document.
2.1.3 Approvals Required
Schedule 2(7) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation, 1994 requires this document to include a list of approvals required for the continued operation of the existing activities on the Project Site. The approvals required are as follows.
Amendment of Development Consent 84/55 from Shellharbour Municipal Council : The Company is seeking to amend a number of the existing conditions and remove other conditions from their existing approval that duplicate commitments proposed by the Company in this document.
Amendment of the current Pollution Control Approval issued by the Environment Protection Authority.
7 R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 25 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
I 2.2 THE PROJECT SITE For the purposes of this document the Project Site refers to the area shown on Figure 2.1 which covers:
I . Lot 2, DP 609762 covering 16.39 ha; and
I . Lot 24, DP 3710 covering approximately 0.4 ha.
Lot 2 is owned freehold by Dunmore Sand and Soil Pty Ltd where Lot 24 is held under possessionary ownership. The Company is currently finalising the freehold ownership I of Lot 24. The Project Site lies within the Parish of Terragon and County of Camden.
2.3 RESOURCES AND PRODUCTS
The principal resource on the Project Site is a fine to medium-grained sand. As a I result of processing, a high quality fine to medium-grained concrete sand is produced, the bulk of which is sold directly as a single product. Approximately 15 per cent of the I sand is blended with other quarry products to form other saleable products. The fine waste silts and clays (tailings) washed from the premium sands are themselves a saleable product sold for filling purposes and also used in blended products.
I The Company estimates that there is approximately 1 million tonnes of recoverable sand within the remaining 7 ha of land to be dredged within the Project Site within the floor of the existing dredge pond. This estimate is based on observations of dredged I depths compared with the initial drilling documented in Longworth and McKenzie I (1984).
1 2.4 EXTRACTION
2.4.1 Site Design
The design of extraction activities on site and the proposed approach to extraction are based on the occurrence of sand on the Project Site together with a range of operational requirements. Features of the site design are as follows:
. a further 7 ha of land within the Project Site is planned for extraction by I dredging;
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED I DtJNMORE SAND AND SOIL PlY LTD - 26 - EIS - DUN MORE SAND QUARRY Section 2 - Description of the Proposal I C:\RwC\348\F1G2 — 1 .DWG Northern Roadway Piped Culvert :2.0m. AHD Beneath Roadway Invert = 1.3m, AHD
FORMER WEIGHB RIDGE DUNE SAND \ OFFICES 4.7 EXTRACTION AREA 2.2 + (Further Extraction WORKSHOP By Excavator) lOm 'i TO BECOME SOIL ature 2.2 S rip Buckley
PRODC 1.5 +
-I-
10 MN
1.3+
Eastern Drainage Channel South ern 1 Boundary Levee Rocklow Invert of Creek Dr ainage Channel r 1.15m, AHD
Lot 24 REFERENCE D.P.3710
...... Project Site Boundary (fenced)
Dredge Pond (open water)
Remnant Regrowth L.j
Area Backfilled with Inert Solid Wastes Lot 2 L :1 D.P. 609762 Track / Limit of Extraction to July, 1995 ,/ Proposed Limit of Extraction
+2.0 Spot Height (m. AHD) LAND TITLE DETAILS Power Line
SCALE 1:4000 50 0 50 100 150 200 m Figure 2.1 PROPOSED SITE LAYOUT
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED 5 EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 27 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD Section 2 - Description of the Proposal I
. the boundary of the proposed extraction area as shown on Figure 2.1 has I been positioned to: I (i) retain the eastern drainage channel;
(ii) maximise the recovery of sand resources; and I
(iii) retain the two mature regenerating stands of Swamp Oak Forest near the northern boundary of the Project Site. A buffer of 5 m is proposed between the edge of the dredge pond and the closest I trees within these stands. I The Company proposes to continue to extract the sand leaving near-vertical side slopes on the perimeter of the active area of the dredge pond. However, the side I slopes would be monitored towards the proposed limit of extraction to avoid excessive slumping on the pond perimeter. I A perimeter boundary road would be retained around the northern and eastern side of the limit of extraction.
1 2.4.2 Extraction Procedure $, The Company proposes to continue to extract the bulk of the sand within the Project Site by dredging since it is the most economical and efficient means of recovering the highest proportion of the resources of the type within the Project Site. The approach is comparatively simple in that, whenever possible, the topsoil is removed and sold if it is 1 not required for rehabilitation purposes. On some occasions, the ground conditions do not allow equipment access due to bogging. The Company would remove approximately 1.0 ha of topsoil at one time principally through the use of a hired I swamp track bulldozer. I The dredge moves slowly backwards and forwards across the pond surface to recover sand from the floor and exposed faces. The depth of dredging is regularly adjusted through adjustments to the dredging arm. I It is possible that a small section of the proposed extraction area near the north- eastern corner of the Project Site would be extracted using an excavator given the I depth of sand is only approximately 3 m to 4 m.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PlY LTD - 28 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section 2 - Description of the Proposal I
2.4.3 Extraction Plan
The factors influencing the extraction plan throughout the remaining life of the project are: I
the need to maintain three distinct areas within the dredge pond, namely:
. an area for the receipt of inert solid wastes;
. an area for the retention of process tailings; and
an aëtive dredging area free of any wastes or tailings.
Boundaries between these areas are achieved by either the construction of barrier walls using selective placement of inert solid waste materials or temporary retention of insitu materials such as shown on Figure 1.3;
the area on the south-western side of the existing dredge pond adjacent to the washing plant zone (Figure 2.1) would be retained as long as possible for placement of fine materials generated by washing. Whenever warranted, this area would be re-dredged to recover the fine materials for filling products;
the south-western side of the existing dredge pond would remain open given the poteniial for the on-site dredge to periodically travel from that section of the dredge pond on the Project Site to the adjoining property owned by Council for the recovery of the deeper sand resources on that property; and
the depth of extraction varies from approximately 3 m near the northern boundary of the Project Site to almost 16 m in the south-eastern corner of the Project Site.
Over the next two years the Company plans to continue to dredge near the centre of the Project Site. However, it is also planned to extract the north-eastern section (by excavator) so that area can be preferentially backfilled and used as a site to stockpile topsoil for the rehabilitation of the eastern section of the Project Site. As previously discussed in Section 1.7, the Company proposes to outline its plans for both sand extraction and backfilling on an annual basis.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 29 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD I Section 2 - Description of the Proposal 1 2.4.4 Production Levels The main dredge currently used on site is capable of extracting between 1 000 tonnes and 3 000 tonnes per 10 hour day. However, operating conditions periodically cause R daily production to be as low as 300 tonnes. Production is generally maintained for between 100 to 200 days per year to produce the projected annual production of approximately 100 000 tonnes. It is noted that approximately 100 000 tonnes of dredged I sand would yield approximately 90 000 to 95 000 tonnes of product. The limiting factor to on-site production is the capacity of the processing plant which is capable only of I processing up to approximately 2 000 tonnes per day.
2.4.5 Dredging on Council Land In its ETS for the ongoing operation for Dunmore Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot, Sheliharbour Municipal Council has foreshadowed the use of a dredge I principally to recover the substantial quantities of sand on its site that cannot be recovered by the existing method of extraction which involves an excavator and/or bulldozer. The Company anticipates it may be in a position during various stages of the dredging activities on the Project Site to undertake dredging campaigns on behalf of Council. It is therefore proposed to maintain an access way towards the southern side of the I Project Site. It is proposed that, should a commercial arrangement be achieved with Council, all dredged sand would be piped to the Company's washing plant on the Project Site and the return water pumped back to the dredge pond on Council's land I to maintain water levels in that area of Council's operation. I 2.5 BACKFILLING OPERATIONS
2.5.1 Introduction The Company proposes to continue the backfilling operations on the Project Site to $ achieve a stable landform capable of providing:
the Company with an area of useful land for continued commercial operations; and
a final landform that provides a long term corridor between the wetlands to the north and south of the Project Site.
The final landform envisaged by the Company at the end of backfilling operations is I one which blends into the adjoining topography to the south on Council's land and that has slopes and an appearance commensurate with those of the surrounding topography. Further details of the final landform created by the backfilling operations I are presented in Section 2.12.2.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD - 30 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
For planning purposes, this document examines the backfilling practices that preferentially blend with the final landform on Council's land, or if this is not feasible, a separate landform not connected to the final landform on Council's land.
2.5.2 Waste Materials The Company proposes to continue to receive inert solid waste materials derived principally from the demolition of buildings (principally concrete and brick), subdivision wastes and wastes from civil engineering construction projects. The typical wastes received at present include:
broken concrete slabs and footings;
bricks, tiles and paving;
clay and sand;
. rock and spoil from building footings and trenches; and
. soils.
The Company recognises the importance of rigorous inspection procedures for the incoming wastes to ensure that any unsuitable wastes on site that could lead to adverse changes to the quality of water in the dredge pond are not acceptable. The procedures for the inspection of incoming waste are presented in detail in Section 4.1.2.
2.5.3 Backfilling Procedures The backfilling procedures adopted on site are comparatively simple in that the incoming wastes are stockpiled adjacent to the active tipping area and, once approximately 100 m1 is accumulated, they are pushed into the pond. Particular care is taken when forming the newly extended areas above the water level in the dredge pond to place graded materials well suited to compaction near the surface. A similar procedure would be adopted when establishing the final surfaces to be covered with topsoil to ensure they are free from large fragments. Periodically, fragments of wood delivered to the site within the demolition materials float to the surface of the dredge pond near the tipping area. This material is collected and disposed of in the adjoining depot operated by Council or sold as firewood.
2.5.4 Projected Level of Backfilling The Company envisages that the receipts of inert solid wastes in 1995/1996 would be in the order of 30 000 m3. The rate of receipts would vary throughout the remaining life of the project. However, for planning purposes, receipts of 15 000 m3 to 45 000 1113 per year are feasible with an average of 30 000 m3 per year.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED H EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 31 DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PlY LTD 1 Section 2 - Description of the Proposal 1 2.6 SAND PROCESSING, BLENDING AND STOCKPILING
2.6.1 Introduction The processing of the sand derived from the Project Site and the blending of some of the sand products and potential waste products is an important activity since it is the I means to produce a range of products which maximises the value of the sand resources on the Project Site. Processing of dredged material is undertaken as part of a washing process, whereas the I soils and blended products are manufactured initially by ground mixing with a front- end loader and at times mixing using a "dry" double-deck mobile powerscreen and stacker (Plate 1.4). The production of blended products is undertaken with a range of sand and soil products produced on site, together with a range of sand and aggregate products I imported from nearby sand and hard rock quarries. This section reviews each of the processing and blending operations and the approach I to stockpiling on site.
2.6.2 Washing Operations
$ 2.6.2.1 Process The sand slurry from the dredge is pumped directly to the double-deck washing plant I where it enters above the top deck. The top deck comprises a coarse screen (>12 mm) that separates the coarse oversize rubble such as clay balls, sticks, peat, large shells, etc from the feed. This coarse material is directed via a chute to a stockpile adjacent I to the plant and is periodically removed either to a sale stockpile (if of commercial use) or to the active backfilling area. I All material passing through the top deck enters above the second deck which comprises a fine cloth screen (<2mm) designed to remove fine deleterious material such as fine shell, plant fibres and some clay. All material separated is likewise I directed to the waste stockpile referred to above. The sand slurry passing through the fine screen cloth into the washery bin system is I further processed in the bins by a series of spray bars that introduce clean water pumped from a pontoon on the dredge pond. The sand is pumped as a slurry from the base of the bin system to a cyclone separation tower 20 m high where two cyclones I separate off and dewater the sand (Plate 1.3). The sand product then falls onto high conical heaps up to 18 m high. The heaps gradually dewater further by gravity to a moisture content of 5 to 10 per cent. $ The washing plant is capable of processing up to 200 tonnes of dredged material per ' hour. Because it is linked with the operation of the dredge, it also operates 3 to 5 days per week.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD - 32 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section 2 - Description of the Proposal I
2.6.2.2 Waste Water Water draining from the conical heap of washed product sand drains back to the I dredge pond. Water and fines returned from the cyclones re-enter the bin system providing energy for grain scrubbing in that system. The finer sand within the waste water is separated via a smaller pump and single cyclone system. It is noted that not all fine sand is recovered through processing and the Company periodically dredges the area near the outlet of the return water to recover the bulk of the fine sand returned to the dredge pond.
2.6.3 Blending Blending of the range of products is undertaken using a combination of ground mixing with a front-end loader and a double-deck mobile powerscreen (Plate 1.4). The screen can be operated within either a single or double-deck at rates of between 20 and 100 tph. The upper deck usually has an opening of 20 mm to 50 mm and the lower deck an opening of 5 mm to 10 mm. The blending is undertaken by feeding the component materials into the receival hopper by front-end loader in the required proportions. If required, the materials are reprocessed to achieve thorough mixing. Blending of the various products is undertaken "dry", as most materials blended have an inherent moisture content. However, it is necessary at times to activate a spray system for dust suppression and/or to increase the required water content of the products. The mobile plant is operated on average about 1 day per week. However, the frequency and duration of its use is often dependent on individual orders. Any waste materials from the blending operations are set aside for incorporation in fill products or are placed in the active disposal area of the dredge pond.
2.6.4 Stockpiling The Company maintains stockpiles for the various products produced on site within the product stockpile and blending area (Figure 2.1). As the conical heaps beneath the cyclone tower are formed, the front-end loader is used to re-locate the product sand to nearby product stockpiles. Individual stockpiles of imported materials and blended products are also maintained on site within the stockpile area. At any one time, the Company would maintain stockpiles of up to 10 000 tonnes of sand products and 4 000 tonnes of blended products and their component raw materials. The stockpiles are generally various shades of grey and not greater than 5 m high.
2.7 TRANSPORTATION
2.7.1 Site Access Access to the Project Site is gained from the end of the currently formed section of Buckley Road. The site entrance has locked gates.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 33 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PlY LTD I Section 2 - Description of the Proposal 1 2.7.2 On-Site Road Network The Company maintains a roadway around the northern and eastern perimeter of the Project Site, together with a few minor temporary tracks to gain access to the perimeter of the active dredge pond. A series of roads are formed within the product stockpile area and around the washing plant.
I 2.7.3 Weighbridge The Company proposes to install a weighbridge adjacent to the site offices (Figure 2.1) I during 1995/1996.
I 2.7.4 Product Despatch I 2.7.4.1 Routes Figure 2.2 displays the existing road network providing access to and from the Project Site together with the proposed road network once the level crossing at Dunmore is eliminated and Sheliharbour Road is realigned. The principal roads used for product despatch are Sheliharbour Road and the Princess Highway.
2.7.4.2 Traffic Levels Table 2.1 presents the projected traffic levels associated with the ongoing operation of the sand extraction and backfilling operations throughout the life of the project. It is noted that incoming materials for blending are projected to generate traffic varying I from 0 to 30 truck movements per day. TABLE 2.1 Projected Traffic Levels
TRUCK MOVEMENTS PER DAY
Sand and Blended Products Incoming Waste Materials I Le vel of Pioduction Level Minimum Average Maximum . Minimum Average Recem 1)tS Maximum
U, 1 000 t/week 50 60 70 300 ni3/week 20 30 40
I 2 000 t/week 100 120 140 600 rn3/week 40 60 80
I 4 000 t/week * 200 240 280 900 m3/week 60 90 120 1
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PlY LTD - 34 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
TN C.\RWC\348\F1C2 -2DWG
VN
P o eec Drive Ploneer ori ve
Cul—de—sac
Elevated Dunsters Lane Roundabout Link
M.R. 522 IP - Devi ationR. Lied00 Lindsn Lone ys Lone c
S.H.1 Link Dun more Link Road Closed
Buckley Rood Buckley Road 0 en CD
Buckley Road (3 Buckley Road CID DUNMORE Temporary Connection dc DUNMORE / to Swamp Road Q Level ,, Croseng v 't,' " PROJECT PROJECT Rock/ow Creek SITE Rock/ow Creek SITE
urro urro Temporary Connection to Existing Highway
EXISTING ROAD NETWORK PROPOSED ROAD NETWORK
REFERENCE Highway
Minor Road
Track/Lane
-t---r- ---c- Railway Line/Station
Percentage of Total Truck Movements from Project Site
SCALE 1:35000 Figure 2.2 500 0 500 /000 1500 m TRAFFIC DISTRIBUTION
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 35 DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PlY LTD I Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
The projected traffic levels have been based on the current experience with truck movements onto and from the Project Site, particularly the backloading practice where approximately 20 per cent of the trucks delivering waste or raw materials for blending I leave with a load of sand, soil or blended products. Figure 2.2 also displays the approximate percentage of vehicles travelling along Buckley Road, Sheliharbour Road and the Princess Highway towards the market I destinations.
1 2.8 SERVICES
1 2.8.1 Power The Company uses electrical power on site principally for sand processing and to a I lesser extent for use in the workshop and for lighting. The existing power supply and configuration of power poles and power lines are assessed to be adequate for the remaining life of the operation (Figure 2.1). Power usage is approximately I 17 500 kilowatt hours per month.
1 2.8.2 Water The Company draws its water for sand processing directly from the dredge pond. Apart from a small amount of water retained in the washed sand products, all water I originally pumped with the sand slurry from the dredge and directly from the dredge pond flows by gravity back into the dredge pond. I All water for drinking and site ablutions would continue to be drawn from Council's water main positioned near the entrance to the Project Site from Buckley Road.
2.8.3 Fuel I The Company would continue to use diesel for the mobile equipment and portable screen used on site and their delivery trucks. Diesel is stored on site in two tanks of $ 5 000 L and 500 L capacity positioned within a hunded area within the stockpile area (Figure 2.1).
1 2.8.4 Sewage The existing septic system, approved by Council, would be adequate for the remaining I life of the project. 1 2.8.5 Communications The Company maintains one telephone and one facsimile line to the site and various ' mobile phones. The incoming telephone line would be maintained with a speaker although, it would be turned off after hours.
t R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD - 36 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
2.9 HOURS OF OPERATION
2.9.1 Dredging and Processing The proposed hours of operation of the continued operations of the dredges, processing plant, and blending activities on the Project Site are as follows:
Monday to Saturday - 6.00 am to 6.00 pm; and
Sunday - 8.00 am to 6.00 pm.
2.9.2 Sales and Product Despatch The proposed hours of operation for sales and product despatch are between the following hours:
Monday to Saturday - 5.00 am to 8.00 pm; and
Sunday - 8.00 am to 6.00 pm.
The Company envisages that the bulk of sales would be undertaken between 6.00 am and 6.00 pm Monday to Saturday, however, from time to time, particularly in summer, greater flexibility in hours is required, particularly for deliveries to distant locations.
2.10 EMPLOYMENT The Company proposes to continue to directly employ four persons full-time on site and a contract dredge operator. Minor changes in employment levels are possible throughout the life of operation, with the number of persons on site likely to vary from 4 to 8. Project management and accounting services provide employment for 2 persons part-time off the site.
2.11 SAFETY AND SECURITY The Company has erected a 2 m high chain wire fence around the entire 1.7 km perimeter of the Project Site. All buildings are securely locked after working hours given problems of theft and vandalism experienced in the past by the Company. Automatic security lighting is also installed around the site office, workshop and processing plant. The Company adopts all the required safety measures for the dredging and processing operations required by the Department of Mineral Resources and the WorkCover Authority of NSW.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 37 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD 1 Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
2.12 REHABILITATION
2.12.1 Objectives and Final Land Use
Rehabilitation of any site involving extractive industries and/or waste disposal needs to be planned and undertaken with a full understanding of the final land use of the I subject land and, where appropriate, the likely land uses on the surrounding land at that time. Section 3.9 examines the future land uses on the lands adjoining the Project i Site which in summary are: I (i) continued recreational use of the land to the east, that is, within the Killalea State Recreation Area;
a golf course surrounding the SEPP 14 Wetland No. 374b to the north of the Project Site and housing development on slopes to the north of the I, golf course;
light industrial development adjacent to Buckley Road between the Illawarra Electricity Site and the Project Site; I the continued nature conservation with SEPP 14 Wetland No. 374a to the south of the Project Site; and I
(v) a passive recreational site on the land currently used for Council's I Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot.
Bearing in mind the above future land uses and long term commercial opportunities for the site, the Company's principal rehabilitation objectives and proposed final land uses are as follows:
1 (1) the western section of the Project Site would be retained as freehold land as a site to continue a commercial business such as a landscaping supplies/nursery complex. This complex would take advantage of the I elevated sections of the site as well as the flat area formed on the northern side of the Project Site as a result of the backfilling; I (ii) a long term surface water corridor should remain on the eastern section ' of the Project Site between the wetlands to the north and south of the Project Site;
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LtMITED
DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD - 38 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section 2 - Description of the Proposal I
the rehabilitation of the eastern section of the Project Site that incorporates the surface water corridor referred to in (ii) needs to incorporate revegetation using solely native species. This approach would improve the ecological value of the corridor between the two wetlands, a feature that was removed when the land was cleared in the 1890s; and
upon completion of the rehabilitation of the eastern section of the Project Site, it is the Company's intention to offer it for purchase by the Department of Land and Water Conservation (or its successor responsible for the management of the Killalea State Recreation Area). This offer is consistent with the stated wishes of the Department, given their desire to manage in perpetuity the land between the two wetland areas.
2.12.2 Final Landform
Figure 2.3 displays the proposed final landform at the completion of the acceptance of waste on the Project Site. The principal features would be:
a spur blending in with the elevated area to the south-west of the Project Site on Council's land. The elevation of the spur on the southern boundary would be comparable to those on Council's land. The elevation of the spur would gradually decrease in height on the Company's land and would, to some extent, be similar to the landform present on the eastern side of the Project Site that occurs within the Killalea State Recreation Area. Side slopes on the spur would vary from 1:4 (V:H) to 1:8 (V:H). Local variations to the landform presented in Figure 2.3 are likely to provide for vehicular access to the top of the spur. The surface of the spur would be constructed in such a manner that would direct all runoff from its upper surface to its northern side where it would be directed down the 5.5 m high batter via a rock-lined chute or channel (Figure 2.3). The channel would have a slope of 1:8 (V:H) or 70;
the eastern drainage channel would be maintained in its present form and with the native vegetation remaining on the banks. The landform adjacent to the western side of the channel would be raised slightly to enable runoff from the eastern section of the Project Site to flow directly into the eastern channel. At the end of land reclamation activities, the eastern section of the Project Site would effectively appear as a broad flat area approximately 50 m wide with land rising to the east and west at gradients of approximately 1.6 (V:H); and
R.W. CORKER'y' & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 39 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD I Section 2 - Description of the Proposal C:\RWC\348\FIG2-3.DWG MN Northern Roadway Piped Culvert I 7o2.0m. AHD Beneath Roadway
COUNCIL 4.7 Dune Sand WASTE EASTERN I Extraction Area DEPOT DRAINAGE Backfliied With C F 'IAN N EL Solid Inert ElEVATION PROJECT SITE PROJECT SITE ELEVATION 13 Waste Materials BAC K Fl LLE B 2.2 (,' AJD) BOUNDARY BOUNDARY (n. AlIT) AREA 20
I 10 10 k 2.0J 201 I -10 / Rock Lined I ,l .9 1.3 + Chute SECTION A—A'
+ V 0 ESTIMATED FINAL LANDFORM FOR DUNMORE RECYCLING & 100 WASTE DISPOSAL DEPOT#
Eaern /7 7.1 Perimeter ELEVATEON PROJECT SITE BACKFILLED PROJECT SITE EUVIAEOIE OVID) 000) 12.0 Roadway BOUNDARY AREA BOUNDARY 20-0 20 Proposed Elevated 4% Landform on Dunmore -4% 10 10 Recycling and Waste 0 Disposal Depot y + 3.9 -10- -10
_. + -20- -20 #SCTIQN ASSUMES SAND NOT EXTRACTED TO FULL DEPTH - • Eastern Drainage Southern + 2.9 Channel SECTION B—B' (PROPOSED) Boundary Levee /10 Rocklow Creek
ESTIMATED FINAL LANDFORM FOR DUNMORE RECYCLING & WASTE DISPOSAL DEPOT0 REFERENCE PROJECT SITE BACKFILLED PROJECT SITE ELEVATiON 9,. AHD) AREA BOUNDARY Project Site Boundary (fenced) Basement Rocks 20
10 Area to be Offered for Sale to Sand Dept of Land and Water Conservation 0 flII4 Remnant Swamp Oak Forest Inert Solid Waste -10 37 -10
Track Putrescible Waste -20 -20 *SECTION ASSUMES SAND IS EXTRACTED TO FULL DEPTH Batter Slope A Direction of Water Flow SECTION B—B' (ALTERNI.TE)
± 2.0 Spot Height (ni, AHD)
SCALE 1:4000 50 0 50 100 150 200 m Figure 2.3 FINAL LANDFORM
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 41 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PlY LTD Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
I (iii) a flat area approximately 150 in wide and 400 in long to the north of the final spur. This area would be completed in such a manner that surface water flows to the north towards the remnant Swamp Oak Forest and I the northern Project Site boundary. At the northern boundary, the water would be directed towards the eastern drainage channel (Figure 2.3). A feature of the final landform in this area would be the construction of two sedimentation basins to receive any sediment-laden runoff before it flows into either the stands of Swamp Oak Forest or the Eastern I Drainage Channel.
Section 2.14 discusses the alternatives available to the Company for the formation of I other landforms at the completion of on-site activities.
2.12.3 Rehabilitation Procedures
- 2.12.3.1 Central Spur The Company proposes to progressively rehabilitate the central spur as it is formed. I During the last 12 months or so prior to the completion of sections of the spur, the Company would commence to set aside incoming topsoil and soil materials that could be used in the rehabilitation of the spur. As the sections of the central spur are I completed, the soil and soil materials would be placed on the outer surface. If necessary, the Company would screen any unsuitable materials such as timber, pipe etc. from the soil materials to create a useful growing medium. This activity is I currently undertaken on the site. $ As each section of the final spur is covered with topsoil, it would be seeded with a mixture of grasses which are not only appropriate to the season but have been planted by Council on their final landform. This approach to revegetation would ensure that visually, both the landforms and vegetation on the Company's and Council's sites I would be similar. The progressive topsoiling and grassing of the central spur would continue until the I entire spur was vegetated. Once sections of the upper surface are completed, selected areas would be set aside to grow clumps of trees. Again, the approach taken to tree planting would be co-ordinated with Council's tree planting programme on the I adjoining land.
2.12.3.2 Eastern Section The Company proposes that as the final landform is created adjacent to the eastern I channel, it would be progressively covered with topsoil retrieved from the soil storage area in the north-eastern corner of the Project Site (Figure 2.1). This soil, originally derived from the eastern section prior to sand extraction, would be spread across the 1 final prepared surface to a depth of between 0.2 in to 0.25 in. It is proposed that prior
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD - 42 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section 2 - Description of the Proposal to placement of any soils, the Company would rip the upper 0.5 m to 1.0 m of the final land surface to ensure root growth into the sub-surface below the soil is not restricted. As each section of topsoil is replaced, the Company would undertake a programme of mulching with seed-bearing branches from the surrounding native vegetation supplemented with seed collected throughout the local district. Emphasis would be placed upon creating a vegetated corridor with species comparable to those normally surrounding or connecting wetland communities such as those north and south of the Project Site.
2.12.3.3 Northern Flat Area As previously noted in Section 2.12.1, the Company proposes to develop the northern flat area to become a productive area for an ongoing commercial enterprise, e.g. landscaping supplies/nursery complex. Rehabilitation of this area would reflect the layout of such a complex as it would incorporate stockpile areas, product bays, turning areas and shaded areas. The exact details of the type of rehabilitation planned in this area would be incorporated in the relevant annual report prior to its implementation.
2.12.3.4 Maintenance All areas of rehabilitation would be monitored to ensure the appropriate plant species/diversity is being achieved and that an unacceptable level of weed growth is not evident. Remedial planting and/or other appropriate measures would be undertaken to ensure the rehabilitation objectives for the respective area are being achieved.
2.13 LIFE OF THE ACTIVITIES
2.13.1 Dredging The Company anticipates that the dredging activities on the Project Site could be undertaken for a further 10 to 15 years, that is, in the event that the Company does not undertake any dredging for or on behalf of Sheliharhour Municipal Council on their site. However, in the event that the Company does undertake dredging on the Council site, the operating life of its own operation would be extended. Based on the projected 20 year life of Council's operation, it is considered necessary that the Company seek a similar term for their dredging activities so that there is sufficient time, without seeking a further amendment of its consent, for the orderly extraction of the sand resources on both the Project Site and Council's site.
2.13.2 Sand Processing and Blending The processing of dredged sand, irrespective of its source, is proposed to continue for the full period of dredging, that is a period of 20 years. During this period, the Company would also be blending the required range of products.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 43 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PlY LTD I Section 2 - Description of the Proposal
2.13.3 Backfilling The life of the backfilling activities on the Project Site would be dependent upon:
(i) the rate of receipt of waste materials;
(ii) the sequencing of dredging on both the Company's and Council's land; I and I (iii) the nature of the final landform.
The Company estimates that once dredging is completed on site, a void of I approximately 100 000 m3 to 150 000 m3 would remain. Based upon average waste receipts of 30 000 m3, the void would be backfilled within a period of 3 to 5 years. I It is proposed that the construction of the spur on the final landform would commence by about Year 15 of operations so that the bulk of the landform is completed by Year 20 to coincide with the completion of the similar landform on the Council's site. The I completion of the construction of the spur would require a further 3 to 5 years of operation.
$ 2.13.4 Rehabilitation Although the Company would endeavour to progressively backfill to the final landform I wherever possible, it is likely that the bulk of the site rehabilitation would be undertaken from Year 15 onwards.
2.13.5 Project Life The Company is seeking an approval for a 25 year project life for dredging, processing, I blending, backfilling and rehabilitation activities planned on site. This period is assessed as appropriate for the development since it would enable the responsible and I orderly recovery of an important resource and formation of a sustainable, useful landform at the completion of the nominated activities. I 2.14 DEVELOPMENT ALTERNATIVES I 2.14.1 Introduction The Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation, 1994, requires that this , I document address any feasible alternatives to continuing the operation of the Dunmore Sand Quarry in the manner proposed in this preceeding section. Feasible alternatives are assessed as those that are both practicable and economic. Apart from I the "no development" option which is discussed in Section 5.3, the feasible alternatives ' relate to final landforms, and alternative sources of raw materials and waste disposal sites in the Illawarra region.
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED
DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD - 44 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section 2 - Description of the Proposal I
There are no feasible alternatives with respect to the method of extraction, processing I and backfilling.
2.14.2 Alternative Final Landforms and Rehabilitation
Two alternative final landforms and approaches to rehabilitation are presented:
a surface with levels comparable to pre-dredging levels and full rehabilitation of the entire surface back to grasslands, the former vegetation community; and
a raised surface area that is not connected to the elevated land south of the Project Site (see Figure 2.3).
Alternative (i) is not favoured as it would:
severely limit the area of flood-free land remaining on the Project Site;
. limit the potential for ongoing commercial use of the western section of the Project Site;
not achieve an aesthetic landform on the southern side of the Project Site (compared to a geometric landform proposed by Council); and
the commercial opportunities from the delivery of approximately 400 000 m3 of inert solid waste materials would be foregone.
Alternative (ii) is not favoured as the landform created would not be consistent with that on the adjoining land and it would enable flood waters to enter the Project Site via its boundary with Council's site.
2.14.3 Alternative Sand Sources
Figure 2.4 identifies that the markets for well-rounded fine-grained quartzose sands for use in concrete manufacture are currently being satisfied by sources at Kurnell, Dunmore and Gerroa. Alternative sources of more angular sand are present in the Southern Highlands.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 45 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PlY LTD I Section 2 - Description oft/ic Proposal C:\RWC\348\FIG2 —4.DWC
GF?E,T WES I To K H bo TN YDNEY I /LIVERPOOL
CAMDEN. CAMPBELLTOWN I PORT HACKING
I PICTON I
I CorrmaI
WOLLONCONG I " MITTAGONC 'Bowral PORT KEMBLA Lake I/Ia warra MO SS VALE I 5 Sheliharbour
I 2 KIAMA
$ BERRY Gerringong
4
NOWRA Shoalhaven I Heads REFERENCE
I OPERATING SAND SOURCES
A 1. Rocla Quarry Products - Kurnell 2. Sheltharbour Municipal Council - Dunmore 3. Dunmore Sand and Soil I * 4. Cleary Bros - Genoa
POTENTIAL SAND SOURCE
I o 5. South Coast Equipment - Lake Illawarra I Well Rounded, Fine to Medium, Quartz Sand
I SCALE 1:750000 Figure 2.4 10 0 10 20 30 40 50km ALTERNATIVE I SAND SOURCES
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED
DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD - 46 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section 2 - Description of the Proposal I
Features of the alternative sources in the Illawarra region are as follows:
Kurnell deposit (Rocla Quarry Products) comprises dune sand, extraction of which is reported to be due to cease in about the Year 2000;
Gerroa Deposit (Cleary Bros) comprises dune sand, extraction of which is approved until December 2002; and
. sand currently being produced by Council adjacent to the Project Site is not ideally suited to concrete manufacture as it is not washed.
The principal potential alternative source of well-rounded fine-grained sand in the Illawarra region is within Lake Illawarra. A proposal by South Coast Equipment has yet to be approved to extract this sand resource. Irrespective of whether extraction of the Lake Illawarra sand deposits proceeds, there would always be a substantial need for the sand and its associated blended products generated by the Company. Of particular importance to the Illawarra Region would be the close proximity of the Project Site to principal markets in the region which naturally reduces travel distances and costs to the consumer.
2.14.4 Alternative Waste Disposal Sites Persons generating inert solid wastes have a range of sites from which to choose to deliver the materials. The two closest sites to the Project Site are operated by Shellharbour Municipal Council and Kiama Council. It is noted that consideration of economic recycling of some of the waste materials is not feasible given the abundance of cheaper alternative materials for similar uses, e.g. slag and coal washing reject.
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SECTION 3
DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 49 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PlY LTD I Section 3 - Existing Environment
3.1 TOPOGRAPHY
1 3.1.1 Regional Topography Regional topography is characterised by low-lying land near the coastline and I mountainous terrain associated with the Illawarra Range, approximately 9 km west of the Project Site. The Illawarra Range, in the vicinity of the Project Site, reaches a peak elevation of 711 m AHD on Knights Hill, approximately 13 km west of the Project I Site. Escarpments and steep slopes cut by numerous creeks and gullies are common in the range. A large, flat, drowned river valley associated with the Minnamurra River lies south of the Project Site. I 1 3.1.2 Local Topography The Project Site is located on a low-lying floodplain area approximately 2.5 km north- west of the Minnamurra River inlet to the ocean and approximately 1.5 km inland I from Minnamurra Beach. Low-lying and swampy areas occur both north and south of the Project Site. A large I low-lying area is also located approximately 2 km south of the Project Site. Low hills formed by volcanic rocks, rise to an elevation of 40 m to 60 m AHD, I immediately east and north of the Project Site within the Killalea State Recreation Area. Local topography is presented on Figure 3.1.
3.1.3 Project Site Topography I The Project Site comprises predominantly low-lying terrain at an approximate elevation of approximately 1.5 m AHD. Project Site topography is shown on Figure 2.1. I There is negligible relief across the Project Site. The south-western section of the Project Site comprises the existing dredge pond. The eastern section of the Project Site contains a number of shallow depressions. The eastern boundary of the Project Site I lies at an elevation of approximately 5 m to 10 m AHD at the foot of the volcanic ridge beneath Killalea State Recreation Area. I Other topographic features on the Project Site that are important, particularly as they relate to flooding include the following: I the northern roadway has a typical elevation of 2.0 m to 2.1 m AHD;
. the eastern drainage channel has a level of approximately 1.3 m to 1.4 m AHD near the pipe beneath the northern roadway, and a level I approximately 1.2 m AHD at the southern boundary;
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD - 50 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section 3 - Existing Environment
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I . the invert of the eastern drainage channel is only slightly lower than the surrounding ground level. The bordering levees typically have crest elevations for most of the length of the channel of approximately 2 m I AHD. The maximum crest elevation of 3.2 m AHD occurs near the southern boundary of the Project Site;
. a levee with an elevation of 2.0 m to 3.2 m AHD occurs along the I southern boundary of the Project Site;
I the existing processing plant is positioned on an area previously I backfilled to a level of approximately 2 m AHD;
I . elevations of the surface of the dredge pond have varied from approximately 0.4 m to 1.1 m AHD reflecting the natural fluctuations in the local groundwater levels.
3.2 GEOLOGY
The bedrock underlying and surrounding the Project Site is the Bumbo Latite, a volcanic rock similar to basalt. The Bumbo Latite which is a member of the Permian Gerringong Volcanic Series, is exposed from Albion Park in the north to Jamberoo in the south.
The valleys of the Minnamurra River and Rocklow Creek cut through the Bumbo I Latite and are now essentially 'drowned" river valleys infilled with substantial thicknesses of sediment. The sediments, of Quaternary Age (up to 6 500 years old), I consist predominantly of fine to medium-grained quartz-Iithic sand. Figure 3.2 displays the distribution of both the Bumbo Latite and Quaternary sediments in the vicinity of the Project Site. I On the Project Site itself, the sediments reflect the depositional history over the past 6 500 years. The sediments immediately above the basement rocks are fine to medium- I grained sands with up to 20 per cent coarse shell. The sand becomes marginally coarser towards the top of the deposit and the proportion of coarse shell decreases. The Company advises that the deposit contains discontinuous clay layers often in I association with peat-rich horizons.
The sands present on the eastern and north-eastern side of the Project Site are wind I blown dune sands retained in the lee of onshore winds.
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Quaternary Sediments
Bumbo Latite
Sources: SCALE 1:50000 9028 opographic Figure 3.2 0.5 0 0.5 LO 1.5 2.0 2.5 km SI 56-9 WOLLONGONG -- 1:250000 Geological GEOLOGY
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I A typical grading of the sand deposits provided by the Company is:
I Size (urn) % Passing 1 600 98 to 100 425 90 to 94 300 52to 71 150 5to 8 75 2to 4 I
3.3 DRAINAGE AND WATER RESOURCES
3.3.1 Introduction
The surface drainage characteristics of the Project Site and its surrounds are presented in this document in terms of the regional, local and Project Site drainage together with I the flood characteristics of each drainage system. The water quality of each surface water drainage system is also presented. I The surface drainage in the vicinity of the Project Site is also influenced by tidal fluctuations and groundwater occurrences and sub-surface flows. The implications of tidal fluctuations is discussed in Section 3.3.3 whilst the hydrogeology of the Project I Site and its surrounds, together with details of the quality of the groundwater resources, are outlined in Section 3.4. I 3.3.2 Drainage Systems I The features of the regional, local and Project Site drainage systems are drawn from published data and information compiled by Paterson Britton and Jewel (1995).
Regional Drainage I The Project Site lies within the catchment of the Minnamurra River which in turn lies within the Wollongong Coast Drainage Basin (Water Resources I Commission, 1980). The inlet of the Minnamurra River to the ocean lies approximately 2.5 km to the south-east of the Project Site. The Minnamurra River drains some of the eastern slopes of the Illawarra Range and has a I catch ment of approximately 120 km2.
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Figure 3.3 shows the Project Site is situated approximately 1 km north of the Minnamurra River within the floodplain of Rocklow Creek, a permanent tributary of the Minnamurra River. The confluence of Rocklow Creek and the Minnamurra River with the river located approximately 1 km south of the Project Site and approximately 1.5 km from the inlet to the ocean. Rocklow Creek has a catchment of approximately 23 km2.
A number of ephemeral tributaries of Rocklow Creek drain the foothills of the Illawarra Range to the west and other rolling hills to the north-west and around the Project Site. Much of the lower catchment of Rocklow Creek is subject to inundation, hence, a feature of the local drainage network is the area of swamps and wetlands. A large swampy area is located south-west of Minnamurra (Figure 3.1). An extensive predominantly tidal wetland area surrounds the confluence of Rocklow Creek and Minnamurra River. The wetland is scheduled under SEPP 14 Wetland No. 374a (Figure 3.3). A freshwater wetland immediately north of the Project Site, also scheduled under SEPP 14 and referred to as Wetland No. 374b, drains into Rocklow Creek via the eastern drainage channel of the Project Site (Figure 3.3). Further discussions of both these wetlands is presented in Section 3.7.1.4.
Project Site Drainage
The Project Site itself is poorly drained, reflecting the low-lying nature of the landform. The drainage patterns have been changed a number of times since the land was cleared in the 1890s. When the land was used predominantly for market gardening, upsiope runoff was directed through the site in two drainage lines, a central drainage line and eastern drainage line. The central drainage line was progressively realigned by the Company, however, at present upsiope runoff is diverted through the presence of the built-up northern roadway and then directed around the eastern side of the Project Site in a constructed channel (Figure 3.4). The eastern drainage channel is essentially in the same position as the original eastern drainage line on the site.
The bulk of rain falling on the Project Site infiltrates directly into the sands beneath the surface, that is, until such time as the groundwater level rises to the surface. Surface runoff from upsiope areas also crosses the Project Site principally via the eastern drainage channel. Groundwater flows from the north are also evident. The nett effect of the continued surface runoff and high groundwater levels is that the site becomes waterlogged when these conditions prevail.
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ALBION PARK IIJWMBAR REFERENCE I RAIL 7Roo ) \.\ — Rocklow Creek 1 J' :7'- Project Site Boundary \ Caehiuent SH[LL I TN Boundary L1B0UF Road major/minor I r -J 17 \ / j Built UP Area iourt Ter ) — Swamp / Wetland I cu] Sec Etilargeineni I I Residence cu/ DUNMORE ( River / Creek Creek ° / I Rock/oh., 7 \0- Contour (Interval r lOm) I - - - - Catchment Boundary 1 - - - Boundary of State Recreation Area I -- .0ruo \ MINNAaURRA 11._i\ Plate Direction POinT [_—/ (Plate NI SCALE 1:15000 Figure 3.3 250 0 250 500 750 m I DRAINAG
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Figure 3.3 displays the surface water catchment upsiope of the Project Site which covers approximately 200 ha or 2 km2. The dominant surface runoff is from the north where runoff from the surrounding hillsides accumulates in the wetland areas and, subject to groundwater levels, flows either as groundwater and/or as surface water towards and through the Project Site. Runoff from the east is limited but either flows directly into the eastern channel or infiltrates through the sands on the Project Site. Small quantities of runoff flow down Buckley Road and infiltrate into the western edge of the Project Site.
3.3.3 Flooding Characteristics
Regional Drainage
The flooding characteristics of the Minnamurra River have been examined by Lawson and Treloar (1989). In brief, the hourly discharge of a 1 in 100 year flood event is estimated to be approximately 4.2 million cubic metres.
Local Drainage
Lawson and Treloar (1989) also indicated that the peak water levels in Rocklow Creek during a 1 in 100 year flood event are totally dependent on the flood levels of the Minnamurra River at the Rocklow Creek confluence. Patterson Britton & Partners Pty Ltd estimated that, theoretically, flooding levels of the Rocklow Creek/Minnamurra River under a 1 in 100 year flood event would cause floodwaters to rise on the Project Site to approximately 3.3 m AHD. The estimated theoretical flood levels under lesser events are as follows:
I in 50 year - 3.25 m AHD 1 in 20 year - 3.1 m AHD 1 in lOyear - 2.95 m AHD I in 5 year - 2.80 m AHD
Project Site Drainage
Patterson Britton and Partners calculated that the total runoff generated during a 1 in 100 year storm event with a 1 hour duration (the critical time of
concentration for the upslope catchment) would he approximately 160 000 m3. The adjoining wetland to the north has a capacity to contain approximately 30 000 m3 of that runoff after which the remaining runoff would initially pass beneath the culvert under the northern roadway on the northern side of the Project Site (Figure 2.1).
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Creek I REFERENCE
Project Site Boundary (fenced) Groundwater Bore - L & M (1984)
Dredge Pond (open water) Borehole - Established by I Sheliharbour Municipal Council Remnant Regrowth - Dredge Pond Water Level Monitoring Site Process Tailings (fine silts and clays) H5 Observation of Height/Depth I of Standing Water level ::. Area Backfilled with Clean Fill (To July, 1995) 0P2 Dredge Pond Water Quality I Track Monitoring Site Limit of Extraction to July. 1995
+2.0 Spot Height (m,AHD) I Figure 3.4 SCALE 14000 50 0 50 100 /50 200m WATER MONITORING I co LOCATIONS
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The road itself, at a level of between 2.0 m and 2.1 m AHD, would effectively act as a broad-crested weir, particularly since the rate of runoff from the wetland would significantly exceed the initial drainage capacity of the existing eastern channel. It is projected that once the northern roadway is overtopped, the rate of runoff into the wetland would potentially equal the flow across the northern roadway. Hence, the water level of the wetland would remain relatively constant while the Project Site fills to a similar level, that is approximately 2.0 m AHD.
Patterson Britton and Jewel (1995) also note that apart from surface flows in times of floods, there would be increased levels of groundwater percolation through the Project Site due principally to the increasing head difference across the northern roadway. The quantity of water percolating through the site would, however, be small in comparison with surface flows. Based on a volume of 160 000 m3, the I in 100 year storm event would ultimately inundate the Project Site and the 374b wetland to a level of approximately 2.0 m AHD. This critical event would only have a duration of 1 to 2 hours and based on calculated discharge rates, the SEPP 14 Wetland No. 374b and Project Site would theoretically return to pre-storm water levels within approximately 2 to 3 days.
Since 1987, when operations first commenced on the Project Site, the Company has experienced a range of flood events reflecting to some degree the features of each of the above drainage systems. The principal features of the flood events have involved the inundation of the Project Site through the backing up of water from the Minnamurra River and in turn Rocklow Creek. Upslope runoff from north of the Project Site has represented only a small proportion of the water on the Project Site during a flood. The Company has invariably ceased dredging operations at least 24 hours in advance of any inundation and hence all water in the dredge pond at the time of inundation has been essentially clear. Water backing up from the Minnamurra River has entered the Project Site once it has risen above 1.8 m AHD, that is the level of the southern levee on the southern side of the Project Site (Figure 2.1). Floodwaters have gradually filled the dredge pond and then slowly inundated the surrounding low-lying areas. As levels in the Minnamurra River have fallen, water levels on the Project Site have similarly fallen slowly. Dredging activities have been able to resume within 8 to 10 days of the cessation of flooding.
3.3.4 Surface Water Quality Surface water quality data has been compiled on and around the Project Site since 1980. However, notwithstanding the quantity of data is somewhat sparse, there have been few activities within the surface water catchment upslope from, and within, the Project Site, that would influence water quality over that period. The principal change has, in fact, been in the salinity of the water in the dredge pond.
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The results from the 1980 testing on and beyond the Project Site indicated pH levels varied from neutral to slightly alkaline (Longworth and McKenzie, 1984). Total dissolved solids, chlorides, sulphates and hardness levels were high in Rocklow Creek and the tidal channel receiving the flow of the two creeks crossing the Project Site, owing to their salt water or brackish nature. Biological testing revealed some contamination of Rocklow Creek at that time from the Dunmore Recycling Waste Disposal Depot.
Water quality analyses of the water in the dredge pond on the Project Site since September 1991 indicate a slightly alkaline pH (7.1 to 7.8) and electrical conductivity increasing from approximately 700 to 10800pS/cm. The results of the most recent suite of water samples collected from within the dredge pond are presented in Table 3.1. These measurements were undertaken on samples collected 0.3 m and 3 m I beneath the surface of the pond (see Figure 3.4).
Observations relating to the surface water quality data presented on Table 3.1 are as follows:
the pH level reflects the presence of saline water and calcareous materials within the sediments; I
there is no evidence of stratification of water given the similar levels of electrical conductivity at 0.3 m and 3.0 m water depth; I
I all turbidity levels were low; I slight coloration of the water is evident with slightly more coloration at A depth; and I
total phosphorus levels were extremely low and at levels too low for I algal growth;
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TABLE 3.1
Surface Water Quality - Dunmore Dredge Pond
SAMPLE # TEST DPi DP2 DP2 DP3 DP3 (03 rn) (03 m) (3 ni) (03 rn) (3 m)
pH 7.5 7.6 7.3 7.6 7.4
Electrical Conductivity (pS/cm) 10 800 10 600 10 800 10 700 10 800
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) 7 590 7 440 7 590 7 520 7 590
Turbidity (NTU) 4.4 1.7 8.9 1.6 6.4
Luminance (%) 97 98 94 98 96
Purity (%) 1 1 2 1 1.5 COLOUR Doni iiia nt Wavelength (nm) 584 576 579 580 577
Yellow- Hue Yellow Orange Yellow Yellow Yellow
Total Nitrogen (mgN/L) 1.33 1.41 8.61 1.80 1.87
Total Phosphorus (mgP/L) 0.4 0.4 ii 0.5 0.5 * Analyses undertaken by Illawarra Horticultural Services See Figure 3.4 for sample location
3.4 GROUNDWATER
3.4.1 Introduction
A hydrogeological study of the Project Site was undertaken by C.M. Jewell and Associates Pty Limited between 1994 and 1995. Natural fluctuations in groundwater levels during the period of measurements and investigations unfortunately did not allow substantive collection of data for the calculation of appropriate aquifer
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parameters. The description of the hydrogeology of the Project Site is incorporated I within the joint report by Paterson Britton and Jewell (1995). Data on the groundwater resources on the Project Site are also drawn from a report by Environmental and Earth Sciences (1995) forming an Appendix to the EIS for ongoing activities on the I adjoining site operated by the Shellharbour Municipal Council.
1 3.4.2 Occurrence The Quaternary alluvial sands within the Project Site form the principal groundwater I aquifer. The aquifer is essentially unconfined within a discontinuous clay horizon at approximately 4.5 m below the natural ground surface. Locally this clay horizon may have functioned as an aquitard prior to sand extraction activities. I The groundwater table lies within 1.0 m to 1.5 m of the surface on the Project Site and surrounding area. This is evident by the waterlogged areas that occur after rain. I Observations of the water level in the dredge pond, together with measurements in various bores, indicate that the water table fluctuates by up to 0.75 m between dry and wet periods. The water table responds rapidly to periods of rainfall. I The water level within the dredge pond is assessed to occur at or very close to the regional groundwater table. The bulk of the water removed during dredging is I returned soon after processing is completed. An investigation of groundwater levels on both the Project Site and the adjoining Waste Disposal Depot (Environmental and Earth Sciences, 1995), indicated that the groundwater flows are generally in a I southerly direction towards Rocklow Creek. On the eastern margin of the Project Site, local groundwater flows are to the west. From measurements taken on the Project Site, C.M. Jewell and Associates Pty Limited I determined that the water table occurred with a gradient of approximately 0.002 or 1 ' in 500. A gradient of about 0.001 under fully recessed conditions is considered likely whereas during flood periods, when excess surface water accumulates within the SEPP 14 Wetland No. 374b, higher gradients are possible. Paterson Britton and Jewell (1995) suggest that the hydraulic conductivity of the sand I on the Project Site would be in the order of 9 x 10 m/s, that is, based on the grading of the sand presented in Section 3.2. This equates to a groundwater flow velocity of 0.016 rn/day. This level is at the upper end of the range normally associated with clean I sands. A porosity of about 20 per cent and somewhat lower specific yield would be expected given the occurrence of silts and clays in the sands. From observations I undertaken on the adjoining site, Environmental and Earth Sciences (1995) estimated that the maximum groundwater flow velocity (hydraulic conductivity x gradient) southwards across that Site Depot is 0.032 rn/day. It is currently assessed that small I quantities of groundwater flow from the Waste Disposal Depot towards the dredge pond on the Project Site (see Section 3.4.3). I The low groundwater flow velocities referred to above are confined only to the upper few metres of the groundwater present on the Project Site. The groundwater at depth is essentially static. Evidence of the lack of groundwater movement on the Project Site I from near the surface to the base of the sands is the presence of grey sand which is
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD - 62 - ElS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section 3 - Existing Environment indicative of the lack of oxidation. Where groundwater movement is greater than on the Project Site, the sands are normally orange in colour reflecting the oxidation of the iron present, such as those on the adjoining recycling and waste disposal depot.
3.4.3 Groundwater Quality
Previous analyses of groundwater samples collected on the Project Site in 1980 for the original ETS, indicated a pH range from 6.4 to 7.6. The results showed a large spatial and temporal variation in conductivity and salinity. The results of field measurements, taken by C.M. Jewell & Associates Pty Limited, of electrical conductivity of surface waters assumed to be in hydraulic continuity with the sallow groundwater also showed that salinity of these waters is highly variable. Conductivity results of the Sheliharbour Council's Borehole 5 showed a sharp increase in conductivity from around SOUpS/cm to almost 4 000 pS/cm over the depth interval 4 m to 6 m. This is indicative of a layer of fresh groundwater overlying a deeper layer of more saline groundwater. A similar change in pH values was observed, from slightly acid conditions in the surface layer to near-neutral conditions below 6 m. These conditions were not observed in the nearby dredge pond because the action of the dredge tends to mix all waters within the dredge pond itself. The pH levels in the dredge pond have been alkaline (7.2 - 8.0) for many years.
The higher salinity levels at depth within Council's Borehole 5 reflect the natural occurrence of saline waters hydraulically connected to the nearby brackish and saltwater aquifers, together with the presence of salt trapped within the sediments since their time of deposition. As the dredge extends deeper within the pond, a greater proportion of the salts are brought into the pond water. It is also noted that during periods of high surface runoff, salinity levels in the dredge pond tend to decrease as the saline waters are diluted by influencing surface runoff and groundwater. This dilution is invariably confined to the upper few metres of the water within the surrounding groundwater. It is assessed that groundwater flows in the upper few metres or so are considerably greater than those in the lower levels.
Table 3.2 presents the results of groundwater quality measurements documented by Environmental and Earth Sciences (1995) for samples collected from horeholes BH 5 adjacent to the southern boundary of the Project Site and BH 7, within the Project Site. Borehole BH 7 was removed in late 1993 as the dredge pond was enlarged at that location. A replacement bore has been installed further north at a location nominated as BH 11 (see Figure 3.4).
Paterson Britton and Jewell (1995) summarise that other hydrochemical measurements made on the Council's site indicate that the shallow groundwaters are typically mildly acidic, with fairly even but spatially and temporally variable proportions of the major ions calcium/magnesium/sodium and bicarbonate/sulphate/chloride. This reflects the mixed origins of the waters, and the availability of calcium carbonate derived from shell debris in the sands. There is also evidence of some leachate accession from Council's Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot to shallow groundwater.
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I TABLE 3.2 I Groundwater Quality Data * I Borehole No. 5 Borehole No. 7 1992 1993 1994 1995 1992 1993 I Date 18/11 18/6 10/9 8/12 16/3 28/6 6/10 19/1 18/11 18/6 10/9 8/12 Parameter
I pH 6.5 7.2 6.8 7.0 6.9 6.7 7.2 7.0 6.5 6.9 6.7 6.8
TDS (mg/L) 360 275 470 300 630 185 450 740 1530 1370 3320 3700
I BOD(rng/L) <5 <5 <5 <5 <5 <2 <2 5 <5 <5 <5 <5 I Na (mg/L) 39 27 44 34 76 21 61 82 270 290 840 900 Ca (mg/L) 34 23 51 21 51 19 30 60 200 135 255 190 I K (mg/L) 44 30 43 50 78 17 38 67 35 14 30 37 Mg (mg/L) 13 12 16 10 18 8 12 28 50 47 68 96
I Cl (mg/L) 7 34 45 34 27 25 45 110 530 630 1 560 1 480 I F (mg/L) 0.3 .27 0.53 0.33 0.26 0.24 0.28 0.32 0.3 0.28 0.46 0.36 NO3 (mg/L) 0.45 0.2 <0.1 0.61 1.3 4.6 <0.1 1.9 2.4 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 I SO4 (mg/L) 72 48 190 80 97 21 97 110 190 120 360 210 HCO3 (mg/L) 300 210 150 140 470 130 310 510 510 270 380 590
I PO4 (mg/L) <0.1 <0.1 <0.1n <0.1 0.24 1.4 <0.1 1.9 2.4 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 I NH4.N (mg/L) 20 25 12 14 37 9.8 36 51 19 12 12 13 Zn (mg/L) 0.38 0.01 0.02 <0.01 0.02 <0.01 0.02 <0.01 0.32 0.02 0.01 0.03 I Fe (acid soluble) 2.4 0.43 0.45 2.3 1.4 1.6 0.3 4.0 0.10 0.89 0.22 0.66 Fe (mg/L) 2.9 2.0 3.0 4.2 6.4 2.3 3.9 7.8 11.5 6.4 20 9.0
1 Mn (mg/L) 0.1 0.1 0,07 0.16 0.23 0.03 0.15 0.30 0.11 0.19 0.51 0.42
I * Source Environmental and Earth Sciences, 1995 I
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3.5 SOILS AND LAND CAPABILITY I Soils on the Project Site are predominantly dark silty sands, rich in organic/peat material and occur at an average thickness of 0.2 in and a maximum thickness of 0.5 m. Soil pH varies from 4 to 6 reflecting the presence of humic acids originating from decaying vegetation. The soils exhibit a distinct boundary with the underlying light grey sands. The soils on site have been extensively tilled and scarified since the late 1890s as the land has been used for market gardening. An issue commonly required to be addressed in developments in or near estuarine areas along the NSW Coast is the presence of actual or potential acid sulphate soils or clay materials. The Company has, through their extraction activities since 1987, ascertained that there are no acid sulphate materials on the Project Site. The only clay materials encountered on site are at depth and are thin and discontinuous. The clays tend to break up easily and have a saline, alkaline nature. Nevertheless, all clays encountered are returned to the dredge pond soon after processing. The alkaline pH levels in the dredge pond also reflect the absence of acid sulphate clay materials. The land capability of the areas not yet dredged on the Project Site is assessed as Class VIII, that is, in accordance with the eight class system established by the Soil Conservation Service. This classification reflects the close proximity of groundwater to the surface and its periodic inundation. From an agricultural point of view, the land is assessed as Class 1, which reflects prior use as market gardens.
3.6 METEOROLOGY
3.6.1 Source of Data The following meteorological summaries are based on records collected at the Bureau of Meteorological Station at Port Kembla, approximately 15 km north of the Project Site. Meteorological records for Port Kembla have been collected since 1963. Rainfall data has also been drawn from records collected at the Bureau of Meteorology Station at Dunmore. The Project Site is situated in a coastal location and experiences similar weather to that at Port Kembla. The data collected comprises temperature, rainfall and wind. Temperature and rainfall data are presented in Table 3.3.
3.6.2 Temperature Average daily maximum and minimum temperatures recorded at Port Kembla are presented in Table 3.3. The Dunmore area generally experiences warm summers and mild winters. Mean daily temperatures range from 9.8°C (minimum) to 19.5°C (maximum) in winter, and from 15.4°C (minimum) to 24.4°C (maximum) in summer. February is the warmest month with a mean daily maximum temperature of 24.4°C and July is the coldest month with a mean daily minimum temperature of 9.8°C.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 65 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PlY LTD I Section 3 - Existing Environment 1 3.6.3 Rainfall I The annual rainfall distributions for Port Kembla and Dunmore are shown in Table 3.3 I and are based on approximately 21 years and 12 years records, respectively.
The average annual rainfall for Port Kembla is 1 221 mm and the median annual I rainfall is 1195 mm. For Dunmore, the mean rainfall is 1 051 mm and the median rainfall is 977 mm. The differences between the monthly median and the mean I rainfalls are due to the influence of very high or low rainfall events which are not expected with sufficient frequency to affect the median but which have a significant effect upon the mean. Hence, the median is considered a better estimate of monthly I rainfall expectancy.
Highest rainfalls at Port Kembla occur in the period between January and March. March has the highest median and mean rainfalls, 109 mm and 158 mm respectively. June is also a wet month at Port Kembla with a median rainfall of 109 mm. July and September are the driest months at Port Kembla with median rainfalls of 41 mm and 44 mm, respectively. On average, Port Kembla experiences 10 rain days per month and I 122 rain days per year.
I Rainfall records collected at Dunmore between 1962 and 1974 show a similar rainfall distribution to Port Kembla. March and June are the wettest months with median rainfalls of 111 mm and 131 mm respectively. July is the driest month with a median I rainfall of 20 mm. I
3.6.4 'Nind I The wind speed and direction at Port Kembla are graphically presented on a seasonal I basis on Figure 3.5. The Project Site is located in a coastal area similar to Port Kembla and is subject to reasonably strong onshore winds predominantly from a north-easterly direction, particularly in Spring and Summer. In Autumn and winter there is a stronger I influence from the south-westerly quadrant. The Company's experience on-site since 1987 indicates that the strongest winds occur from the west. The Project Site is somewhat protected from winds from the east and south-east by the adjacent hills I along the coastline.
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SUMMER N AUTUMN N MINDS MINDS
N E N E
MINTER N SPRING N MINDS MINDS
N E N E
VELOCITY
31-Va 11150 ' 51 KM/HR 1-5 6-10 11-20 21-30
FREQUENCY
0 10 20 30 40Z -_ I
wS Source: Port Kembla Signal Station 9am and 3pm Readings igure 3.5 (1957 to 1976) WIND SPEED AND DIRECTION
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 67 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD I Section 3 - Existing Environment I TABLE 3.3 Climatic Summary - Port Keinbia and Dunmore I Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
TEMPERATURE (0C) - Port Kembla (approximately 21 years records) Mean Daily 24.1 24.4 24.1 22.4 19.5 17.6 16.7 17.3 19.2 20.7 22.2 23.3 21.0 I Maximum Mean Daily 18.4 18.7 17.9 15.8 12.7 11.0 9.8 10.4 11.9 13.9 15.4 17.0 14.4 I Minimum RAINFALL (mm) - Port Kembla (approximately 21 years records) Mean Monthly 116 152 158 85 90 133 59 84 55 101 95 93 1 221 Median 104 78 109 59 51 109 41 67 44 68 58 68 1195 Raindays per 12 12 14 9 8 9 7 10 8 11 11 11 122 I month - Dunmore (12 years of records) Mean Monthly 115 103 132 119 65 122 24 68 49 83 83 88 1 051 I Median 98 69 111 81 47 131 20 60 44 67 49 66 977 Raindays per 10 8 11 8 7 9 4 7 5 8 9 9 95 I month I I 3.7 FLORA AND FAUNA
1 3.7.1 Flora I I 3.7.1.1 Introduction A survey and assessment of the flora on and surrounding the Project Site was I undertaken by Kevin Mills and Associates Pty Limited in July 1994. The study area for the survey included the land immediately north of Rocklow Creek, part of Killalea State Recreation Area, the Project Site and the area north of the Project Site I comprising SEPP 14 Wetland No. 374b (Figure 3.6). The majority of the Project Site is cleared as a result of previous market gardening I activities that commenced on site in the late 1890s. The bulk of the Project Site is now covered in grasslands, however, there are some patches of native trees remaining. Areas of proclaimed wetland are present to both the north and south of the Project I Site.
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C:\RWC\348\FIC3-5,DwC SEPP 14 Wetland N374b
Grassland 3
Bare Ground
: I Grassland Grassland I
, Open t Water
SEPP 14 Wetland N374a
Kit/a/ca State Recreation Are a
Grassland 4_1
4 REFERENCE
a-i- Project Site Boundary jflfl Road Formed/Unformed
Creek 1 Swamp Oak Forest 2 Bankala Woodland : Cleared Land 3 41/4, 4 MIxed Woodland/Forest 5 Wetland (Of f Site) Figure 3.6 SCALE 1:7500 VEGETATION 100 0 100 200 300 400 500 m COMMUNITIES
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED EtS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 69 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PlY LTD l Section 3 - Existing Environment
1 3.7.1.2 Survey Methodology All areas supporting native vegetation were surveyed and a list of native plant species was compiled. The vegetation communities were identified and their characteristics, I species composition and occurrence noted. The distribution of these communities on and surrounding the Project Site were mapped.
3.7.1.3 Results
1 Two native vegetation communities were identified on the Project Site namely: Swamp Oak Forest; and Banksia Woodland (FIgure 3.6). I The remainder of the Project Site comprises either open areas used for activities associated with sand processing, blending and stockpiling or cleared areas in the two additional vegetation communities identified within the study area but outside the I Project Site boundary namely: Mixed Woodland/Forest and Wetland communities (Figure 3.6). I The Swamp Oak Forest community is dominated by Casuai-iiia glauca and Melaleuca ericifolia and occurs in two patches in the northern part of the Project Site. The I understorey is dominated by native wetland plant species. The Banksia Woodland community is dominated by Banksia integrifolia and occurs in a narrow-band along the eastern edge of the Project Site on a small area of remnant I sand dunes. The cleared areas of the Project Site are vegetated with introduced grasses (Kikyu and I American Pennywort) together with some regrowth of Common Reed (Phragmites australis), Swamp Paperbark (Melaleuca ericifolia) and Swamp Oak (Cauarina glauca) I and other smaller plants present in the adjoining Swamp Oak Forest. Weed species are common on and surrounding the Project Site. The only noxious weed on the Project Site is the Blackberry (Ribus sp.) which requires management. I A full list of all native plant species recorded in the flora survey is presented in Kevin Mills & Associates Pty Limited (1995).
Conservation Signfficance I No rare or threatened plant species were recorded in the flora survey and none are known to occur in the study area. I Two regionally important species were found on the Project Site: Villarsia reniformis and Blechnuin indicum. Villarsia reniformis has been recorded only in one I other location in the region, at Coomonderry Swamp. Both of these species occur within the stands of vegetation not to be disturbed by Company's activities. The remnant Swamp Oak Forest occurrences on the Project Site are not, in I themselves, of high conservation value.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD - 70 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section 3 - Existing Environment I 3.7.1.4 SEPP 14 Wetlands I A number of coastal wetlands along the New South Wales coast are protected under State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) No. 14. Coastal wetlands, such as those in the vicinity of the Project Site, possess many important functional and ecological attributes, including nutrient recycling, flood control, flow regulation, erosion control, wastewater assimilation, provision of sediment sinks, plant productivity and genetic diversity, and provide fish and bird habitats. Coastal wetlands may also possess recreational, educational, scientific and aesthetic values. The SEPP 14 Wetland to the south of the Project Site is referenced as No. 374a and covers 45 ha along Rocklow Creek and around its confluence with the Minnamurra River. The area of the wetland inundated by water at any one time is primarily a function of the tidal influence on the Minnamurra River estuary. The SEPP 14 Wetland north of the Project Site is referenced as No. 374b and covers an area of approximately 9 ha. Locally, this wetland is known as Dunmore Swamp (Kevin Mills & Associates Pty Limited, 1995). This wetland contains essentially freshwater derived from the surrounding hillsides. This wetland comprises two lobes joined by a narrow neck of wetland. The area between the two lobes comprises cleared farming land which has been used for market gardening and grazed for many years. The duration that water remains in this wetland after rainfall has increased slightly as a result of the construction of the northern roadway on the northern perimeter of the Project site.
3.7.2 Fauna
3.7.2.1 Introduction
A fauna survey was conducted by Kevin Mills & Associates Pty Limited in July 1994 in conjunction with the flora survey and covered the same study area. A separate survey of aquatic fauna in the dredge pond on the Project Site was prepared by The Ecology Lab. Pty Limited in June 1994.
3.7.2.2 Survey Methodology
All parts of the study area and all habitat types were searched for fauna species. Species were identified by several techniques including observation of animals, identification by calls and searching for the presence of mammals (scats, tracks and diggings). Particular attention was given to rare or uncommon species and the suitability of the habitats on or surrounding the Project Site for endangered fauna was assessed. Fish and invertebrate species were collected in the aquatic fauna survey using gill nets and beach seines.
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EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 71 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PlY LTD I Section 3 - Existing Environment
1 3.7.2.3 Results Only one introduced mammal species, the fox, was recorded in the study area. It is, however, noted that the wetlands to the north of the Project Site are, and have been, I grazed by cattle and horses for in excess of 100 years. Several species of insectivorous bats may occur in the study area but none were recorded. Similarly, the Grey-headed I Flying-fox is likely to occur in the vicinity of the Project Site, although there are no suitable trees on the Project Site.
A total of 177 bird species occur in the Dunmore area and are listed in Kevin Mills & I Associates Pty Ltd, 1995. Fifty bird species were recorded in the study area during the fauna survey, of these six are introduced species and eleven are wetland bird species I occurring mainly on the dredge pond. Only three species of amphibians were recorded in the study area and no reptiles were I located. A total of seven species of fish were recorded in the aquatic fauna survey of the dredge pond on the Project Site. All the species are common in NSW estuarine areas I and all are native species with the exception of the mosquito fish. The larger fish (Sea Mullet and Bream) are of commercial value and most probably entered the pond as juveniles in a period of flooding and became landlocked as the waters receded. I Two crustaceans were recorded in the dredge pond during the aquatic fauna survey: the Grapsid Crab and the Carid Shrimp. One mollusc (an unidentified I bivalve), some unidentified worms and an insect (water boatman) were also recorded in the dredge pond. I It is considered that the dredge pond does not harbour any exotic species which are likely to pose an ecological threat to the Minnamurra Estuary.
Conservation Significance
No endangered fauna were recorded on the Project Site during the fauna surveys. However, a number of endangered fauna listed on Schedule 12 are known to occur or could occur in the study area or nearby, including 1 amphibian species and 5 bird species. I The amphibian species, the Green and Golden Bell Frog (Litoria aurea), may occur in the study area, although there are few patches of reeds, their preferred habitat, on the Project Site. This species occurs in the Illawarra District in Swampy areas and in 1 wetlands in the district.
The rare and vulnerable bird species for the Dunmore area include, the Australasian I Bittern, Black Bitten, Blue-billed Duck, Comb-crested Jacana and Swift Parrot. Although these species may occur on the Project Site, there is no suitable habitat provided on the Project Site for the majority of these species. For example, there are I no extensive reed areas to provide sufficient cover for the Australasian Bittern.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD - 72 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section 3 - Existing Environment
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PROJEC
15
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REFERENCE
Project Site Boundary
1fl111JE1E 5(b) Special Uses (Railways) Rural A
9(a) Special Uses Reservation Rural B
7(b) Environmental Protection 7(a) Environmental Protection (Estuarine Wetlands) (Wetlands) 7(f2) Environmental Protection FTEFq 7(d) Environmental Protection A (Foreshore Protection 11) 1___ (Scenic)
SCALE 1:15000 250 0 250 500 750 m Figure 3.7 LAND ZONING
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 73 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD I Section 3 - Existing Environment
I There is no suitable wetland vegetation for the Comb-crested Jacuna and the habitat for the Black Bittern in the study area would be marginal. The Swift Parrot may occur in the Banksia integrifolia trees along the eastern boundary of the Project Site.
I There are extensive areas of wetlands outside the Project Site which provide valuable habitat for many fauna species. The Minnamurra River estuary contains a significant I area of tidal wetlands comprising Swamp Oak Forest, Mangroves, Salt Marsh and open water with sea grass which forms an extensive nursery and feeding area for estuarine organisms and habitat for wetland birds. The tidal mangrove flats I surrounding Rocklow Creek are part of this same system. P 3.8 ZONING, LAND OWNERSHIP AND LAND USE I 1 3.8.1 Zoning The Project Site is zoned Rural 1(a), under the Sheliharbour Local Environmental Plan No. 16, 1987. Extractive industries are a permissible land use with Council's I consent. Immediately north of the Project Site lies a 9 ha area of 7(a) environmental protection (wetlands) zone surrounded by a Rural 1(a) Zone, which covers the wetland area protected under State Environmental Planning Policy No. 14 (SEPP 14 - Coastal I Wetlands). East of the Project Site, along the coastline, the land is zoned 7(f2) Environmental Protection (Foreshore Protection 11) and to the west, Rural 1(b) zone. I Land use zoning in the vicinity of the Project Site is depicted on Figure 3.7.
3.8.2 Land Ownership
The Project Site is wholly owned by Dunmore Sand and Soil Pty Ltd. Ownership of the I surrounding land is detailed on Figure 3.8. I 3.8.3 Nearby Residences
The closest residences to the Project Site include:
I Killarney', approximately 300 m north-north-west of the Project Site; 1 and
. 20 residences in Dunmore village, approximately 500 m north-west of the I Project Site.
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AcceSs to Killalea S.RA
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REFERENCE
Project Site Boundary
Dunmore Recycling & Woste Disposal Depot
Dunrnore Sand & Soil Pty Ltd
Illaworra Electricity
Kiama Council (Waste Disposal Depot)
Crown Land (DL&WC)
SCALE 1:15000 250 0 250 500 750 m Figure 3.8 LAND OWNERSHIP
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED III EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 75 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD 1 Section 3 - Existing Environment
1 3.8.4 Land Use 1 3.8.4.1 Introduction This section reviews the land uses in the vicinity of the Project Site, both at present and in the future. Future land uses for the surrounding area are addressed since the I application sought for continued operation of the Dunmore Sand Quarry is for a period of 25 years. Hence, proposed surrounding land uses within this timeframe and beyond are an important consideration in terms of the compatability of project I activities, final landform and land use with adjacent land uses.
3.8.4.2 Existing Surrounding Land Uses Existing surrounding land uses in the vicinity of the Project Site include the following:
. waste disposal in the Dunmore Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot operated by the Shellharbour Municipal Council on the adjoining land to I the west of the Project Site (Figure 3.9);
1 . recreation and nature conservation in the Killalea State Recreation Area, immediately east of the Project Site;
foreshore protection in the 117 ha area of land zoned 7(f 2) Environmental Protection (Foreshore Protection 11) east of the Project I Site; . transport in the major transportation corridors west of the Project Site I including the Princes Highway (State Highway No. 1) and the Illawarra Railway;
the Illawarra Electricity Works Depot, north-west of the Project Site;
. residential development in the nearby village of Dunmore (Figure 1.1); I and I . grazing and some cropping of surrounding rural properties.
3.8.4.3 Dunmore Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot The Dunmore Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot immediately adjacent to the 1 Project Site is the most important surrounding land use in terms of potential cumulative environmental impacts with those impacts arising from the activities on the Project Site. Hence, this section briefly describes the proposed activities on the depot I site, based on the information presented in the EIS for the operation of the site.
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MN
Access to KIIaIea S R A
Grazing
Ilawarra / Electricity Grazing Des/ ot
Dunmore Recycling & Waste Disposal t I \ Depot I I E:E
Extraction (L _•-ff \' Killalea State Recreation — / / / \ SEPP 14 Wetland Area , 9 N374a\ PROJECT \ A I SITE \
Lookout
ruse \ Depot
9
REFERENCE
—, —, — Project Site Boundary River / Creek
Road Major/Minor I Railway Line
Noise Monitoring Location Track
Residence
SCALE 1:15000 Figure 39 250 0 250 500 750m SURROUNDING LAND USES
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I The Dunmore Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot is owned and operated by the Shellharbour Municipal Council. The site has been used for waste disposal since the early 1970s. From 1974 to 1991, a small sand extraction pit was operational in the LI south-western corner of the site. Until 1989, sewage effluent tankers discharged around 600 000 L of effluent per week on Council's land. This was reduced to minimal I levels in 1991. Nightsoil was disposed along the eastern margin of the site until 1991. The Council proposes to extend the life of the depot by approximately 20 years and proposes to continue extraction of sand prior to the emplacement of solid wastes. The I Depot would continue to be operated from 7.30 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Sunday. The machinery currently used in the combined waste disposal and sand extraction operation includes a Caterpillar 916 Compactor, a CAT D8 dozer, a CAT 920 loader, I a motorised sand screen and a stacker.
I Sand Excavation The Council proposes to extract a maximum of 50 000 tonnes of sand per annum I involving excavation and operation of two 200 m x 40 rn cells simultaneously. No detailed plans are available showing the layout of the site or the sequence of extraction. Excavations below the groundwater table would be dewatered using a I pump and discharged to the stormwater sediment control system. Depending on economic viability and market demand, a cutter suction dredge and sand washing plant would be utilised. Sand excavated would be stockpiled and screened as markets I demand. In the event that sand washing is required, a cyclone plant or similar equipment would be installed. The washing waste water would be collected in a I tailings pond and allowed to infiltrate into the ground. The excavation cells would be lined with a two layer-liner system of local clay and colloidal refuse material to control leachate. Leachate would be treated by a I combination of spray irrigation over vegetated landfill and recirculation back through the controlled landfill. The Council also proposes to construct a clay lined leachate I overflow pond.
Landrilling I It is proposed that clean inert solid wastes would he placed below the water table in each cell. Clay would then be spread and compacted to form a liner followed by mixed I municipal waste. Cover material comprising quarry fines and other suitable material would then be compacted over the waste. A final layer of selected material would be I spread and planted with grasses and native shrubs. The existing vehicle wash-down bay would be upgraded and the drainage directed to the leachate control system.
I Traffic
Current traffic levels generated by the depot approximate 250 vehicles per day. This I level is expected to peak at around 400 vehicles per day.
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It is proposed to realign Sheliharbour Road to intersect with the Princes Highway near I James Road, which would significantly reduce the present volume of traffic on Sheliharbour Road adjacent to residential areas. (Further details of this re-alignment is presented in Section 3.14).
Air Oualitv I
Potential air contaminants from the landfil I operation include dust from vehicle movements on unsealed roads, smoke from accidental fires, methane, odours from putrescible wastes and windborne litter. I Visual Impacts
The depot is visible from the majority of residences in Dunmore village and sections of Shellharbour Road. Equipment and stockpiles would be potentially visible in the short to medium term from these vantage points.
Noise
Operations at the depot contribute to the background and ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the Project Site. A background noise level was measured to be 55.9 dB(A). Total ambient noise including the Council's sand extraction and landfilling operation was LA9O 57.6 dB(A). The total LA10 level was 7.6 dB(A) above the measured background noise level.
Water quality
Clean I water is diverted around erodable surfaces and the sediment control system. Minor leachate activity has been detected in bores within or immediately adjacent to the active landfill areas but not remote from the landfill. It is believed that any leachate, by the time it reaches the groundwater, is diluted through biological degradation and ionic absorption within the clay layers. Flood controls include a vegetated hund to be progressively extended around the site to act as a levee bank, drains and sediment retention ponds.
3.8.4.4 Future Land Uses Future land uses proposed for the area surrounding the Project Site include:
(i) continued recreational use of the land immediately east of the Project Site within the Killalea State Recreation Area;
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a golf course surrounding SEPP 14 Wetland No. 374b to the north of the LI Project Site and housing development on slopes to the north of the golf course is envisaged by Illawarra Electricity, the current landowner; I Illawarra Electricity is currently seeking re-zoning of sections of its land north of the Project Site to allow for light industrial development I adjacent to Buckley Road between the Illawarra Electricity Works Depot and the Project Site;
Ll the continued nature conservation within SEPP 14 Wetland No. 374a to I the south of the Project Site; and continued operation of the Shellharbour Municipal Council's Dunmore Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot, immediately west of the Project I Site, for around 20 years, then creation of a passive recreational site as a final land use. I
3.9 NOISE The principal sources of noise in the vicinity of the Project Site are listed below in the I order of dominance when heard at residences within Dunmore village: I . traffic on the Princes Highway, Shellharbour Road and Buckley Road; . earthmoving equipment and vehicles on the Dunmore Recycling and I Waste Disposal Depot site; I . train noise; . earthmoving equipment, dredging and sand processing activities on the I Project Site;
. noise from the ocean and activities within the Killalea State Recreation I Area; and
rural sources such as birds, stock and wind in trees.
I For the purpose of measuring existing noise levels at residences around the Project Site, a series of measurements were taken initially in June 1994 at two sites in Dunmore village and more recently at 'Killarney". Points of noise measurement are I shown on Figure 3.9.
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Measurements on the 16th June 1994 were recorded during three time periods, namely 7.20 am to 8.00 am, 12.00 to 12.40 pm, and 3.20 pm to 4.00 pm on a day when winds were almost absent during the morning and increased to only slight from the west during the afternoon. In July 1995, the noise levels at "Killarney" were measured with a moderate wind strength (4 m/s) also from the west. Table 3.4 lists the recorded average maximum (LA10) and average minimum (LA ) noise levels measured at the three nominated locations.
TABLE 3.4 Existing Noise Levels
SITE NO.
Location 1 2 3
L1t9() L1() LA90 L,1() LA9O
Period
16th June 1994
7.20 am to 8.00 am 49 58 47 61 -- --
12.00 to 12.40 pm 51 59 52 58 -- --
3.20 pm to 4.00 pm 55 61 53 64 -- --
27th July 1995
3.50 pm to 4.05 pm ------50 55
It is noteable that at no times were any of the Project Site activities audible at the three measurement locations. This is attributable to both the comparatively low levels of noise generated on site and the character and levels of noise from other closer noise sources. Discussions with some nearby residents did indicate that although they have been unable to discern the presence of normal operating noise levels from the Project Site, the noise from the outdoor phone speaker was audible, particularly after hours. As a result of these comments offered, the Company ensures the site phone is disconnected after hours.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 81 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PlY LTD I Section 3 - Existing Environment rill During the noise assessment undertaken in July, noise levels were also recorded of the principal continuous noise sources, namely the dredge and washing plant. Both items produced variable noise levels reflecting the direction of noise measurement from each I source. In general, LA10 noise levels measured at 30 m varied from 67 dB(A) to 76dB(A). I It is noted that noise measurements documented in Council's EIS at the rear of residences in Dunmore village also revealed that no noise was discernible at those residences from activities on the Project Site. Comments were provided that a I bulldozer on site was barely audible at these residences. I 3.10 AIR QUALITY I Air quality in the vicinity of the Project Site is influenced by limited dust generated on- site and the adjoining recycling and waste disposal depot, traffic exhausts, salt spray, and exhausts from mobile equipment. No known data is available to the quality of the I air in the vicinity of the Project Site. Collectively, the comparatively low levels of air contaminants generated from each of these sources, result in the air quality in the 1 vicinity of the Project Site being assessed as good. I 3.11 ARCHAEOLOGY I Any archaeological record on the Project Site was removed by the prior use of the Project Site for market gardening since the land was first cleared in the 1890s. This assessment was provided as a result of an archaeological survey reported to Council I after the granting of the original approval for the project in 1984. The Company is aware that in the event that any skeletal remains are uncovered, work would cease in Li that area and the National Parks and Wildlife Service would be informed.
3.12 SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
The Project Site is located approximately 3 km south of Shellharbour and I approximately 6.5 km north of Kiama. The population of Shellharbour township in 1991 was 2810. The population of 1 Shellharbour Municipality in 1991 was 46 295 and the population of Kiama in 1991 was 15 400 (Shellharbour Municipal Council, 1995). The current population of the I Kiama Municipality is between 17500 and 18 000 (Kiama Municipal Council, 1995). The Project Site lies within the Illawarra Statistical District. Australian Bureau of Statistics unemployment figures indicate an unemployment rate of 10.3 per cent for I May, 1995 in the Illawarra Statistical District.
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3.13 TRANSPORTATION NETWORK The Project Site is located close to the Princes Highway (Figure 3.10) which is a major north-south arterial transport route along the coast and provides the main road link between Sydney and Wollongong and the South Coast. Shellharbour Road, also known as Jamberoo Road, links Dunmore to Shellharbour and Port Kembla. Access to the Project Site is via a sealed road from Shellharbour Road to the Dunmore Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot, adjacent to the Project Site. Average daily traffic levels on the Princes Highway in 1992 were 15 500 on weekdays and 17 400 on weekends. The RTA forecast traffic levels for 2006 are 27 285 on weekdays and 31 605 on weekends (RTA, 1993). Shellharbour Road is heavily used by traffic travelling from the Port Kembla area to the South Coast. Shellharbour Municipal Council monitored traffic levels on Shellharbour Road between 30th May 1995 and 9th June 1995, immediately north of the Project Site. Results indicate an average daily traffic level of 3 780 (southbound) and 3 494 (northbound) with total traffic movements equalling 7 274 vehicles per day. The section of Shellharbour Road near its intersection with Buckley Road and Dunmore has a speed limitation of 60 kph and is well designed with turning lanes for traffic turning into Buckley Road from both directions. Marked dual lanes in both directions are present on Shellharbour Road. Visibility from Buckley Road at its intersection with Shellharbour Road is approximately 0.2 km to the south and 0.6 km to the north. A school bus travels along Shellharbour Road on school days. The bus run leaves Dunmore at 7.45 am and returns at around 3.15 pm. Local residents at the Dunmore local store advise that there has been no road accidents involving product trucks in the last 4 years on Shellharbour Road. One accident has occurred in the last 7 years involving a Company truck. The accident occurred on Shellharbour Road Windang and only minor minor damage was incurred. Shellharbour Municipal Council traffic counts for the period 24th June 1995 to 6th July 1995 on Buckley Road north of the Project Site and the entrance to the Dunmore Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot indicate an average daily traffic level of 344 (170 northbound vehicles and 174 southbound vehicles). During this period, the Company's records of product despatches indicated that traffic travelling to and from its site accounted for less than 20 per cent of the total traffic on Buckley Road. No school bus travels along Buckley Road.
3.14 SERVICES The Project Site is serviced by mains water to the site entrance gate on Buckley Road. Power is supplied to the site via a feeder line for use in sand processing and in the workshop, for lighting. Current power usage is approximately 17 500 kilowatt hours per month. Two telephone lines are connected to the site. Mobile phones are also used for telecommunications.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 83 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PlY LTD I Section 3 - Existing Environment C:\RWC\348\FJG3-10.DWG I I I I I I I I 1 I I I I I EXISTING NETWORK PROPOSED NETWORK REFERENCE
Highway I Minor Road Track/Lane I Railway Line/Station SCALE 1:35000 Figure 3.10 500 0 500 1000 1500 m I TRANSPORTATION NETWORK
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIM!TED
fl Li DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD - 84 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section 3 - Existing Environment I
A septic system is located on site behind the office building. The transpiration bed for the system is located behind the workshop. The septic system is pumped out when I necessary by a licenced contractor. Fuel is stored on site in two tanks of 5 000 L and 500 L capacity in a hunded area located within the product stockpile area.
I 3.15 VISIBILITY
The Project Site is comparatively secluded in its location at the end of Buckley Road I and adjoining some areas rarely visited, e.g. SEPP Wetlands Nos 374a and 374b. The activities on site are visible when approaching the Project Site along Buckley Road and from some elevated sections of the Killalea State Recreation Area (Plates 3.1 and 3.2) and the elevated areas of the adjoining Illawarra Electricity land.
I H U I Ii H I I ['I Li I k I
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED I EIS DUNMORE SAND QUARRY 85 DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD Section 3 - Existing Environment
Plate 3.1 A view to the southwest towards the Project Site from the entrance to the Killalea State Recreation Area (Ref: 348 F/16)
all
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-V.
V .
Plate 3.2: A view to the north-west towards the Project Site from the Killalea State Recreation Area (Ref: 348 Ff17)
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED - 87 -
SECTION 4
ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARDS AND IMPACTS
PREAMBLE
This section describes the design and operational safeguards together with the manage/ne/it and operating procedures that the I company either already has in place (and would continue) or would adopt during the ongoing operation of the Duninore Sand Quariy. The safeguards and procedures have been developed to I ensure the area within and surrounding the Project Site is not adversely affected by the continued operation of the quariy and that t/ic level of impact meets specified criteria or reasonable community I expectations. This section also includes the assessed impacts of ongoing quarlying activities upon the relevant components of the existing I environment. It is noted more that emphasis is placed upon observed or measured impacts from the existing operations, with less emphasis placed upon predicted impacts. Where considered I appropriate, procedures for monitoring are also included. This section concludes with an assessment of the cumulative impacts of the continued operations on the Project Site with those I of the adjoining Dunmore Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot. I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 89 - DUN MORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD Section 4 - Safeguards/Impacts
4.1 WATER MANAGEMENT
4.1.1 Introduction The management of water on and around the Project Site is assessed to be one of the main issues to be addressed throughout the remaining operational life of the sand extraction and backfilling activities. This section considers both surface water and groundwater together, given their inter-relationship on site. The principal objectives of the water management component of overall site management are to ensure:
water quality beyond the Project Site is not adversely affected by on-site activities, particularly during periods of flooding;
site activities and structures do not adversely affect flooding activities;
groundwater levels in the nearby wetlands are not lowered. It is apparent that the SEPP 14 Wetland No. 374b to the north of the Project Site would in fact benefit from marginally higher groundwater levels, albeit for short periods; and
a permanent suitable drainage system is left in place after the cessation of sand extraction and hackfilling activities.
The approach to water management on the site has been compiled from studies undertaken by Patterson Britton and Partners Pty Ltd and C.M. Jewell and Associates Pty Limited, together with contributions from the Company based on their site experience and "commonsense' approach taken to date. During the consultation period for this document, a range of Government Authorities expressed a preference that the activities on the Project Site be isolated from floodwaters to limit the potential for contamination of surface waters. Initially, it was suggested that structures be constructed on site boundaries to exclude flood events within a 1 in 100 year return period. This approach has been established to be both inappropriate and unnecessary as Patterson Britton and Jewell (1995) document that levee structures on the southern side of the property would need to be constructed to a height of approximately 3.6 m AHD, or almost 2 m higher than existing levels. Furthermore, it is assessed that provided the water quality in the dredge pond is maintained to acceptable levels, as is presently the case, the need to exclude flood flows from the Project Site is unnecessary. This section therefore reviews the proposed design and operational safeguards and management procedures the Company proposes to adopt to achieve the objectives set out above. The impacts of the occurrence of floods upon the quality of surface water and groundwater is outlined together with the commitment to ongoing monitoring.
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4.1.2 Safeguards and Management Procedures The Company proposes to continue to operate on the Project Site with the existing southern boundary levee set at a height of approximately 1.8 m AHD, and maintain the existing eastern channel. As discussed in Section 3.3.3, the southern boundary levee would prevent the inundation of the site from floodwaters backing up the Minnamurra River in flood events with a return interval of less than 1 in 5 years. Events with a greater return interval, and therefore a higher flood level, would enter the Project Site and, together with flows from the upsiope catchment, would cause a number of activities on site to cease or to be curtailed. Such occurrences have not caused any operational difficulties in the past and similarly are not envisaged to cause any operational difficulties in the future. Given the potential therefore exists for the Project Site to be flooded, the Company proposes to adopt a range of safeguards firstly to ensure the quality of water is not adversely affected during normal operations, and secondly to ensure appropriate procedures are adopted prior to, during and after a flood event that results in inundation of the Project Site. The principal safeguards and procedures adopted to ensure water quality is not adversely affected are as follows.
Waste Acceptance and Inspection Criteria
The Company only accepts inert building waste and excavated material from subdivision sites and civil engineering projects where excess rock, clay and soils are generated. Such a policy ensures that there are negligible changes to the water quality within the dredge pond. The acceptance of only these materials is well understood by contractors delivering waste materials to the Project Site as they are required to supply information on the type and source of the materials and to provide a confirmatory signature. All waste materials are tipped onto an active tipping area where they can be inspected to ensure the materials are consistent with the docket. The waste materials are then pushed into the pond area every two or three days, or at lesser intervals if appropriate. In the event of any non-acceptable wastes being delivered to the Project Site, the Company either diverts the vehicle to the adjoining depot operated by Council or transports the material to the depot itself. The Company has had few problems with this waste acceptance and inspection system and proposes to continue to use this system for the remaining life of the project.
Fuel and Oil Management
The Company maintains two fuel tanks on site for fuelling all mobile equipment. These tanks are bunded to a height of approximately 2.8 m AHD. Any fuel spillages outside the bunded area are cleaned up immediately and the material conveyed to the adjoining depot.
The procedures the Company adopts with an impending flood are as follows.
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Cessation of Dredging and Processing
Sufficient warning of impending floods is available to enable all dredging and I processing activities to cease. In practice, the dredging activities are rarely undertaken during periods of heavy rainfall as there are sufficient stockpiles contained on site not to require continuous operations. In the Company's I experience, the turbidity levels in the dredge pond decrease significantly in the vicinity of the operating dredge generally within a few hours. This is achieved principally because of the moderately saline nature of the dredge pond water I which assists flocculation and settlement of suspended particles.
Movement of Equipment
All earthmoving equipment, motors and other on-site equipment would be I moved onto higher ground, including stockpiles, and/or placed above the flood level within the existing buildings. All oil drums etc. would similarly be placed I above the flood level.
At the completion of the project life, the Company would maintain the eastern I drainage channel with an effective cross-sectional area of 8 m2 to provide the necessary surface water corridor between SEPP 14 Wetlands Nos 374a and 374b.
4.1.3 Assessment of Impact
4.1.3.1 Surface Water I Occurrence
I It is assessed that with the proposed method of operations, and with the proposed safeguards and management procedures, the occurrence of surface water would not change significantly from the existing situation. The Project Site would continue to be I inundated during flood periods with a return interval of greater than 1 in 5 years. The maintenance of a levee at a level of 1.8 m AHD would not measurably affect local I flood levels. Low flows from upslope of the Project Site would continue to back-up against the northern roadway and gradually dissipate through the existing pipe and the eastern I drainage channel.
I Water quality
The diversion of upsiope runoff during periods of low flow through the eastern I drainage channel would not affect the quality of water entering Rocklow Creek.
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Flood events that cause inundation of the Project Site from the north and/or south would result principally in the mixing of incoming water with the water in the dredge pond and would result in an increase in the total salinity of the incoming water. However, given the likely dilution effect from the incoming flows, this water flows through or gradually recedes from the site either via surface or groundwater flows, its impact on the quality of water in Rocklow Creek and the Minnamurra River would be imperceptible. All saline materials would be carried out to sea where there would obviously be no impact. Given the Company's commitment to ensuring only inert solid waste materials are placed into the dredge pond, it is assessed that salinity is the only parameter of surface water that would change. The potential for any substantial migration of leachate from the adjoining waste disposal depot is limited by the design safeguards proposed for that operation. However, in the event that some leachate were to enter the dredge pond, its concentration after mixing with at least 300 000 m3 of pond water and at least 150 000 m3 of floodwaters would ensure that levels of any contaminant would be so diluted as not to cause any environmental harm.
4.1.3.2 Groundwater
Occurrence
It is assessed that the inert solid waste materials backfilled into the dredge pond would have a slightly lower hydraulic conductivity than the natural sands beneath the Project Site. There would therefore be a minor reduction in nett transmissivity across the Project Site and a slight reduction in the available groundwater storage between the high and low groundwater levels. The effect of the changes to the transmissivity due to backfilling would be to distort the groundwater flow pattern from north to south through the Project Site, that is, in the upper few metres of the site. As previously discussed in Section 3.4, there is currently virtually no groundwater movement beneath a level of a few metres from the surface. Therefore, the placement of waste materials with a lower transmissivity would not significantly alter the groundwater movements at those depths. The principal feature of the groundwater occurrence to change would be the hydraulic gradient in the upper few metres which would be steeper from the north (up flow) and shallower to the south (down flow). However, Patterson Britton and Jewell (1995) noted that given the existing shallow hydraulic gradients and the high transmissivity of the surrounding areas, the resulting differences in water level would be expected to be in the order of centimetres only. The principal effects of the slightly reduced hydraulic conductivity across the Project Site would be observed after periods of rainfall when there is increased ponding upsiope of the Project Site principally within SEPP 14 Wetland No. 374b. Higher groundwater levels would be sustained for longer periods once surface water levels have dropped below the level entering the eastern drainage channel. The effects of
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temporary increases in groundwater levels is discussed further in Section 4.4 (Flora and Fauna).
Water Ouality
The potential for leachate from the waste materials placed into the dredge pond would I continue to be low given the acceptance and inspection procedures in place. Hence, there would be virtually no change to groundwater quality as a result of the backfilling I activities. In the short term, dredging operations would continue to increase the salinity of water in the aquifer south of the dredge pond, due principally to the mixing of more saline I groundwater from deeper levels with the less saline water in the upper active groundwater flow horizon. In the longer term, once backfilling operations are completed, the saline water in the upper levels would eventually be flushed out and I the natural stratification would re-occur. I 4.1.4 Monitoring
I The Company proposes to work together with the Sheliharbour Municipal Council in a joint monitoring programme for both their operations. The monitoring envisaged on I the Project Site would include:
monthly monitoring of levels in the dredge pond and observation points Hi to H8 across the Project Site and at the northern and southern limits I of the eastern drainage channel (Figure 3.4);
quarterly monitoring of water quality in the dredge pond, BH 3 and BH 11 (parameters measured to be finalised with Council); and 1 monitoring of water levels during flood events, principally on the southern boundary and within the dredge pond following the recession of I a flood. I Tt is noted that the monitoring programme undertaken would be regularly evaluated and adjusted if necessary to ensure the results being recorded are appropriate in I assessing the effectiveness of the controls on both sites. I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PlY LTD - 94 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section 4 - Safeguards/Impacts 1 4.2 AIR QUALITY 1 4.2.1 Introduction I An assessment of the air quality aspects of the Company's existing and continued operations has been based largely upon a qualitative assessment and observation of the effectiveness of existing controls in the context of acceptable industry standards and expectations of the EPA.
4.2.2 Potential Sources of Air Contaminants
The principal potential sources of air contaminants on the Project Site are:
dust generated by vehicles travelling on the site perimeter road and within the stockpile area;
dust generated by the mobile powerscreen used for blending various products;
dust from product stockpiles; and
fumes generated by the dredge, mobile equipment and vehicles on site.
Sand washing activities are not a source of air contaminants given the materials remain wet or moist at all times.
4.2.3 Guidelines for Impact Assessment
Guidelines for impact assessment relate to both dust and exhaust emissions. With respect to dust, the principal criteria would relate to dust deposition rather than airborne dust. The bulk of the dust generated on the Project Site would be of a size capable of "falling out" of the atmosphere and depositing on surfaces, e.g. window sills, parked cars, washing etc. The EPA adopts an amenity-based guideline for dust deposition that involves restricting the increase in the mean annual dust deposition rate to no more than 2 g/m2/month above existing levels, provided the existing levels are not already high. As stated in Section 3.11, no quantitative measurements of deposited dust are available in the Dunmore area, possibly because the existing air quality is assessed as acceptable and typical of the semi-rural nature of the area. The EPA requires all internal combustion engines used on site to operate without producing visible exhaust emissions for a continuous period exceeding 10 seconds.
R.V. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED r EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 95 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD I Section 4 - Safeguards/Impacts 1 4.2.4 Safeguards and Management Procedures The Company proposes to continue to adopt the following safeguards and I management procedures to control air quality on the site:
all vehicle speeds on site are maintained at low levels;
a sprinkler system is used to water the active areas in the vicinity of stockpiles during periods of dry windy weather;
(iii) all exhausts on equipment and vehicles used on site are properly I maintained and are directed away from the ground so as not to stir up dust;
(iv) water is sprayed onto the mobile powerscreen when fine dusty materials are being processed and/or blended. It is noted in most cases the materials blended have a moisture content sufficient enough not to cause dust. Use of the powerscreen is avoided on hot windy days; and
(v) the bulk of the stockpiled products contain a comparatively high amount I of moisture (7 per cent to 10 per cent) and as such do not pose problems with respect to air quality.
It is noted that the Project Site is shielded immediately to the west by the 15 m to 18 m / high landform created on the Dunmore Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot. To the east and north-east, the Project Site is shielded topographically to varying extents from I the onshore winds.
4.2.5 Assessment of Impact
It is assessed that whilst the current activities are underway and the above safeguards L and procedures are adopted, the impact of the Company's operation on air quality would remain acceptable. I Given the various sources of airborne dust and the existing good air quality in the vicinity of the Project Site, it is considered unnecessary to undertake any monitoring of deposited dust levels. Any such monitoring would need to involve numerous sites to I isolate the individual contributions from the various sources.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED
I DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD - 96 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section 4 - Safeguards/Impacts I 4.3 SOIL MANAGEMENT I 4.3.1 Introduction 1 The Company's approach to soil management has been based upon:
maximising the recovery of natural on-site soils for incorporation in various saleable soil blends sold from the site;
setting aside the required quantity of soil for rehabilitation of specific areas on site; and
selective recovery, storage and use of soils brought onto the site for disposal within the dredge pond.
4.3.2 Soil Stockpiling Programme The Company proposes to stockpile topsoil stripped from a 3 ha area on the eastern and northern sides of the Project Site to provide the necessary substrate and seed source for the rehabilitation of the eastern section of the Project Site (see Section 2.12). All topsoil would be pushed up by a swamp bulldozer and either transferred by truck or pushed directly to the north-eastern corner of the Project Site. The topsoil would be shaped with its maximum height being 1.5 m to 2 m during the period of storage. The topsoil would be allowed to naturally regenerate in a similar manner to other banks constructed on the Project Site.
4.3.3 Soil Erosion Controls
The natural occurrence of the soils on the flat-lying sections of the Project Site and their moist sandy nature dictates that few soil erosion controls are required. It would be necessary when stockpiling the soils in the north-east corner of the Project Site to ensure they naturally regenerate sufficiently to avoid any losses by either runoff or wind. Furthermore, the Company recognises all soil, either derived on or off the site, should be carefully managed during rehabilitation activities to ensure an appropriate vegetative cover is obtained on the final surface.
4.3.4 Assessment of Impact
The Company's existing approach to the management of both on-site and imported soils is appropriate at this time. The careful stripping, storage and use of the on-site topsoils is supported. Similarly, the recovery of soils brought onto the site is seen as a benefit for the type of operation run by the Company.
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1 4.4 FLORA AND FAUNA I
4.4.1 Flora
The Company's plans for continued operations on site would not involve the clearing of the re-growth Swamp Oak Forest communities. Rather, the extraction would be confined to areas cleared in the 1890s and used for market gardening until the 1970s. I In the longer term, as the Project Site is progressively rehabilitated, the re-vegetation of the eastern section of the Project Site would provide a vegetated corridor between SEPP 14 Wetlands Nos 374a and 374h.
The Company proposes to undertake periodic weed control programmes at times to
I coincide with similar programmes undertaken by their neighbours. Particular emphasis would be placed upon the removal of Blackberry and Lantana on the eastern side of 1 the Project Site.
The Company's plans for tree planting adjacent to the western boundary of the Project Site (Section 4.6) and on the central spur (Section 2.12) would also add to the vegetative cover of the area.
It is assessed that the continued operation of the extraction site in the cleared area previously approved for extraction would have no adverse impact on the flora of the Project Site. The Company's activities would not adversely affect the occurrence of Villarsia reniforinis or Blechnum indicum. I 4.4.2 Fauna
Kevin Mills & Associates Pty Limited (1995) has undertaken a seven-point test of I significance of the fauna known or likely to occur on the Project Site. This assessment ' is presented in Table 4.1. It is in fact assessed that the creation of a vegetated corridor between the SEPP 14 Wetlands Nos 374a and 374b would benefit the migration of animals and birds between the two wetlands.
The fish species in the dredge pond on the Project Site are similar to those present in the Minnamurra River. Consequently, in the event of a flood and some fish leaving the dredge pond, they would not adversely affect any fish populations within the I Minnamurra River.
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TABLE 4.1 I Seven-Point Test of Significance - Dunmore Sand Quarry
Test Component Response Relating to the Project Site
The extent of modification or removal It is expected that the proposal to extend sand extraction of habitat, in relation to the same operations would not involve the removal of any wetland habitat type in the locality, habitat. Rather, operations would be confined to cleared and previously highly modified land.
The sensith'ity of the species of fauna It is unlikely that any endangered fauna would be to removal or modification of its sensitive to the proposal as no extensive habitat occurs on habitat. the Project Site within the bounds of proposed disturbance and no endangered species appear to be resident on the site.
The time required to regenerate critical No critical habitat is present on the Project Site. habitat, namely the whole or any pa/I of the habitat which is essential for the survival of that species of fauna.
The effect on the ability of the fauna It is not expected that any fauna population would have population to recover, including to recover. Adequate safeguards and management interactions between the subject land procedures, particularly relating to management of runoff and adjacent habitat that may into the wetland below the Project Site and maintenance influence the population beyond the of high water quality, would ensure no impact on wetland area proposed for development, fauna in the vicinity of the Project Site.
(e)Any proposal to ameliorate the Numerous safeguard measures and management impact. rocedures as outlined in Section 4 of this document, Ehave been designed to enhance the site for wildlife and to mitigate impacts.
(f) Whether the land is currently being The land is not suitable for dedication under the assessed for wilde,izess by the Director Wilderness Act and is not being assessed for wilderness. of the National Parks and Wildlife Service under the Wildeiiiess Act, 1987.
(g)Any ath'erse effect on the survh'al of It is a conclusion of this study that the proposed that species of endangered fauna or of development is unlikely to have a significant adverse populations of that fauna. affect on the survival of any endangered fauna and that a Fauna Impact Statement is not required.
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4.4.3 SEPP 14 Wetlands
1 4.4.3.1 Safeguards The Company's plans for the continued extraction of sand from the Project Site have been developed with considerable emphasis placed upon the maintenance and, where appropriate, enhancement of the nearby SEPP 14 Wetlands.
SEPP 14 Wetland No. 374a
The relevant safeguards and management procedures developed to ensure that continued operations on the Project Site would not adversely affect SEP14 Wetland No. 374a to the south of the Project Site include the following:
(i) the quality of water on site would be managed through a number of I, safeguards and procedures relating principally to the acceptance criteria for inert solid wastes backfilled into the dredge pond; and
(ii) maintenance of a vegetated channel on the eastern side of the Project Site to convey floodwaters from SEPP 14 Wetland No. 374b to the I Minnamurra River.
SEPP 14 Wetland No. 374b
The relevant safeguards and management procedures developed to ensure that continued operations on the Project Site would not adversely affect the SEPP 14 Wetland No. 374b to the north of the Project Site include the following: $
(i) the retention of the northern roadway around the Project Site and the g discharge pipe with an invert of 1.3 m AHD. This roadway has already provided substantial benefits for the wetland, in that the wetland remains inundated for slightly longer periods than it would in the absence of the roadway, a feature considered by Kevin Mills & ' Associates Pty Limited to be beneficial, particularly for birdlife. The longer period of inundation also reduces the duration of grazing activities in this sensitive area;
N (ii) the replacement of natural sands within inert solid wastes with hydraulic characteristics that would cause groundwater flow from this wetland to be slightly retarded, thereby increasing the duration surface water and I high groundwater levels remain in the area of the wetland.
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4.4.3.2 Assessment of Impacts The Company's proposal has been designed specifically to ensure the wetlands both north and south of the Project Site are not adversely affected. No adverse impacts are likely on either wetland. In the case of the SEPP 14 Wetland No. 374b, the retardation of flows from the wetland through minor changes to both surface and groundwater regimes is assessed to have a beneficial impact on the wetland.
4.5 NOISE
4.5.1 Introduction An assessment of the impacts of the continued operations on the Project Site on the local noise climate is based largely on measured results discussed in Section 3.10, and the projected locations and type of equipment to be used.
4.5.2 Safeguards and Management Procedures Whilst it has been assessed from noise measurements that existing operations are invariably quieter than other local noise sources, the Company recognises that a range of safeguards and management procedures are necessary to ensure on-site activities do not cause any adverse effects and that compliance with EPA design goals is maintained. The noise controls adopted on site include the following:
all earthmoving equipment and motors are fitted with standard exhaust mufflers that are well maintained;
the site telephone speaker would continue to be turned off outside normal operating hours; and
traffic levels between 5.00 am and 6.00 am would be restricted to no more than 6 traffic movements.
The nature of the site activities, the comparatively low noise levels generated on site, and the location of existing or potential residential properties would not require any other specific safeguards to control noise levels.
4.5.3 Guidelines for Assessing Noise Impact The EPA's broad environmental noise objectives are two fold:
(1) that noise from any single source does not intrude greatly above the prevailing noise level; and
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 101 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PlY LTD I Section 4 - Safeguards/Impacts t (ii) that the background noise level does not exceed the level appropriate for the particular locality and land use.
I To assist in balancing the individual and community effects and benefits arising from various activities, the EPA has issued a schedule of recommended background noise levels for various land use categories. An extract from the schedule relating to various residential classifications appears in Table 4.2. I TABLE 4.2 EPA Recommended Outdoor Background Noise Levels
Recommended Limit - LA9O Zoning Description Period* I Acceptable Maximum
Residential Areas Day 45 dB(A) 50 dB(A) I Night 35dB(A) 40db(A)
Residences near Day 50 dB(A) 55 dB(A) I Industrial Areas or on Night 45 dB(A) 45 dB(A) Busy Roads * 1 Note: For Monday to Saturday, "day" is defined as 7.00 am to 10.00 pm
$ The EPA's objective is for the LA9O background noise levels not to exceed the specified "acceptable" limit. Where the recommended "acceptable" level is not achievable (for technical or economic reasons), then the lowest level achievable may be permitted, I provided the resultant LA9O noise levels at the receptors do not exceed the relevant "maximum" noise level limit. I The LA background level is conventionally determined by measuring noise levels over a period of time at the nearest non-project-related residences. As identified in Section
3.10, the existing LAQO levels in the vicinity of Dunmore village are close to the I maximum recommended limit. Hence, it is proposed that the noise generated by the Company's activities should not increase the existing noise levels. The relevant
guideline for noise generated by traffic on local roads is that the LAeq(1 boor) should not I exceed SSdB(A).
4.5.4 Assessment of Impact The measurements of noise reported in Section 3.10 and those also undertaken on I behalf of Shellharbour Municipal Council have established that the activities on the Project Site are not major contributors to the noise climate in Dunmore village. It is possible that at times during periods of light winds from the east, noise generated on I the Project Site together with that from Council's Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot
1 R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD - 102 - EIS - DUNMORESANDQUARRY Section 4 - Safeguards/Impacts would be audible in Dunmore village. The levels of noise would, however, be expected to be less than the noise generated by traffic on the nearby roads. The predicted changes in land use around the Project Site are unlikely to be adversely affected by noise generated by on-site activities given:
the noise levels generated on site are already comparatively low;
the future residential areas would occur at distances similar to or greater than the distance to Dunmore village; and
the development of the Buckley Road area for light industrial activities would tend to increase noise levels at locations closer to existing and proposed residences.
The noise associated with the despatch of products and the delivery of raw materials for blending is not expected to increase noise levels in the future given it is proposed that future operations would be undertaken at a similar level to those levels in the past and therefore should comply with the EPA criteria.
4.6 VISIBILITY
4.6.1 Safeguards and Management Procedures
The Company proposes to maintain an acceptable level of visual impact by undertaking the following:
planting a strip of trees on the western boundary to improve the appearance of the site as motorists approach the site entrance;
keeping the site tidy at all times;
maintenance of the remaining stands of Swamp Oak Forest on the Project Site;
the maintenance of high profile structures in comparatively dark colours which are not readily obvious; and
progressively vegetating the completed areas of the central spur on the final landform to limit its visibility as it rises gradually above the surrounding landform.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 103 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PlY LTD I Section 4 - Safeguards/Impacts 1 4.6.2 Assessment of Impact It is assessed that the above safeguards and procedures would assist in limiting visual impact of on-site activities. Visitors to the western section of the Killalea State I Recreation Area and some residents within future residential areas to the north would observe the open dredge pond (which has a similar appearance to the existing I wetland) and the Company's washing plant and predominantly grey stockpiles. None of the features on site would be obtrusive and likely to cause any significant visual impact. I
4.7 TRANSPORTATION
4.7.1 Introduction
Transportation of the products of extractive industries is an issue that often generates I debate during the assessment of new proposals, principally because of its impact on noise, air quality, traffic mix and safety. In this case, the transportation of materials to and from the Project Site has been occurring since 1987 during a period of increasing traffic generation associated with the adjoining Dunmore Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot.
4.7.2 Safeguards and Management Procedures
I The need for safeguards and management procedures to ensure an acceptable level of impact associated with transportation is assessed in the following context:
there are no residences fronting onto Buckley Road;
. the intersection of Buckley Road and Sheliharbour Road is adequate for I handling all turning vehicles;
the traffic mix on Buckley Road is already heavily biased in favour of trucks travelling to the Project Site and the adjoining Dunmore Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot;
only two other sites (Illawarra Electricity and 'Killarney) currently gain access from Buckley Road; and
. the projected re-alignment of Sheliharbour Road and closure of the $ Dunmore Railway Level Crossing.
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The safeguards proposed are in fact standard procedures within modern extractive industries and include:
covering of trucks;
issue of instructions to all drivers setting out an appropriate code of practice when entering and leaving the site and requiring courteous and safe driving at all times;
adherence to approved hours of operation; and
a contribution to maintenance of Buckley Road commensurate with the proportion of vehicles generated by Project Site activities.
4.7.3 Assessment of Impact It is estimated that the trucks and cars travelling to and from the Project Site account for approximately 10 to 20 per cent of total traffic and up to 25 per cent of truck traffic on Buckley Road. It is unlikely that this proportion would change substantially throughout the projected life of the operation, that is, until new traffic-generating activities are developed on land fronting onto Buckley Road. During the period whilst Shellharbour Road remains operational in its existing location, the total traffic generated by Project Site activities would account for less than 5 per cent of total traffic. Once Shellharbour Road is re-aligned, the traffic levels on the same section of road would be comparable with levels on Buckley Road. It is assessed that given the location of the Project Site, its surrounds, and the proposed safeguards and environmental procedures, the impacts of continued operations on transportation would continue to be low.
4.8 SURROUNDING LANDOWNERS AND LAND USE It is assessed that the continued operation of the activities on the Project Site would not have an adverse impact on the surrounding landowners or land use. The basis of this assessment is set out below.
Dunmore Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot
The continuation of activities on the Project Site would be similar to those on the adjoining site operated by Shellharbour Municipal Council and therefore unlikely to have any adverse impact on the activities on that land. Conversely, the opportunity exists for the Company to have a beneficial impact by undertaking contract dredging of the sand on Council's land that may otherwise be sterilised. This activity would
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generate between $2 million and $3 million for Council. The cumulative impact of I both operations is examined in Section 4.11.
ER Killalea State Recreation Area
The activities on the Project Site would continue to be visible from small sections of I- the Killalea State Recreation Area. However, as noted in Section 4.6 and from Plates 3.1 and 3.2, the visual impact would be low. The Company's commitment to undertake a weed control programme in conjunction with the weed control programme I undertaken within the recreation area would ensure the effectiveness of both , programmes. The Company's commitment to rehabilitate the eastern section of the Project Site as a link between the two nearby wetland areas and offer to sell the rehabilitated land to the Department of Conservation and Land Management, would assist in the long term I enhancement of the western side of the Killalea State Recreation Area.
I Illawarra Electricity
The land currently owned by Illawarra Electricity is proposed to be developed for a combination of light industrial and residential uses over the projected life of activities on the Project Site. However, the impact of activities on the Project Site on these I proposed future land uses is assessed to be minor given:
(i) the generation of additional noise associated with new light industrial I activities fronting onto Buckley Road;
(ii) the construction of residential areas would occur at considerable I distances from the Project Site.
P It is noted that the Company's recent construction of the northern perimeter road (Figure 2.1) has had the effect of retarding the natural flow of water from the adjoining wetland (SEPP 14 Wetland No. 374b) on the Illawarra Electricity land. This has, and would continue to have the effect of reducing the duration of grazing within the wetland area. Given greater emphasis is likely to be placed upon reduction or cessation of grazing in the wetland, the impact of the Company's activities are in fact assessed as beneficial.
Dunmore Village
The continued activities on the Project Site would have little impact on residents in Dunmore village given:
(i) site activities are rarely audible;
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traffic travelling to and from the Project Site represents less than 5 per cent of traffic travelling through the village; and
the site is barely visible.
4.9 ARCHAEOLOGY The disturbance of the land surface on the Project Site since the 1890s would have obliterated any noteable archaeological materials. Hence, the continued extraction activities would have no adverse impact on the pre-European history of the Project Site. As previously stated in Section 3.12, the Company recognises that should any skeletal remains be uncovered, all work in that area would cease temporarily and the National Parks and Wildlife Service would be informed.
4.10 SOCIO-ECONOMIC SETTING The impacts of the continued operation in terms of the local socio-economic setting are invariably positive given the following;
the Company would continue to directly employ between 4 and 8 persons throughout the projected life or the project;
the Company would spend approximately $1.5 million per year in the local economy through wages, contractor's charges, fuel, maintenance, and other purchases;
the Company would continue to supply a range of sand and blended products throughout the Illawarra region that would continue to benefit the growth of the region;
the Company's continued presence on the Project Site would provide the Sheliharbour Municipal Council with the opportunity to periodically recover the deeper sand on Council's land and thereby earn ratepayers up to $2 million to $3 million (1995 $) over the life of the project;
the cost-competitive supply of sand in the Illawarra region would continue; and
the distance travelled by trucks delivering sand from alternative more distant sources would be greater and hence transportation impacts would increase across the Illawarra region.
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I 4.11 CUMULATWE IMPACTS
The Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 1994, requires this document to assess the continued operation in the context of other nearby activities that similarly I may impact on the local environment. As previously discussed throughout this document, Shellharbour Municipal Council operates the Dunmore Recycling and I Waste Disposal Depot. Both the Company and Council produce sand and receive waste materials although Council's emphasis is upon receipt of waste materials and the Company's emphasis is upon sand production. Nevertheless, sand extraction remains I important to Council and waste receipts remain important to the Company.
i Noise
Measurements of the noise levels from the combined activities have been $ shown to have little impact on the local noise climate which is dominated by traffic noise.
Water quality
U The water monitoring undertaken to date suggests that water quality on the Company's land has not been adversely affected by either the wastes disposed on site or on Council's land. The Company's commitment to continue to control I incoming wastes and the use of liners etc. on the Council's site would ensure ' that impact on either surface or groundwater quality from both operations is acceptable.
I Landform
The proposed backfilling on the Company's land is designed to blend with the final landform on the Council's land. Hence, the cumulative impact on the I landform of both operations is assessed as beneficial.
Traffic
I The continuation of both activities would result in comparable levels of traffic being experienced on both Buckley Road and Sheliharbour Road. The combined commitment to maintain Buckley Road would ensure that the I condition of the road remains suitable for the level of use.
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Sand Sales
The continued operation of both sites for the production of sand is very important for the local industry, particularly given the lack of substantial approved quantities of sand available for extraction close to market areas in the Illawarra region. It is noted that in 1994/1995, the Company was in fact Council's largest customer for filling sand. It is noted that at present, both sites predominantly produce a different range and grade of sand.
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SECTION 5
EVALUATION OF THE PROPOSAL
PREAMBLE
This section has been prepared in accordance with Schedule 2, Clauses 3(a) and 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation, 1994. The section presents the consequences should the proposal not proceed and justifies the proposal in terms of biophysical, economic and social considerations together with the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development. I EIS-DUNMORESANDQUARRY - 111 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD I Section 4 - Evaluation of the Proposal
5.1 JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROPOSAL
5.1.1 Introduction Schedule 2(3) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 1994 requires this document to justify the proposed development in terms of biophysical, social and economic considerations.
5.1.2 Biophysical Considerations The extension of the sand extraction and hackfilling activities at the Dunmore Sand Quarry would be adequately safeguarded during and after the operation to ensure the environment in the vicinity of the Project Site is not adversely affected. The safeguards to be implemented for the continued operation are either already in place in full or part ( and would continue) or would be adopted in the ongoing development of the project. All safeguards have been developed at a level appropriate for the nature of the extraction and backfilling operation. Although some impacts would occur, it has been determined that the level of these impacts falls within specified criteria or acceptable community expectations. The main impacts of the proposal on the local environment and the justification of those impacts I are as follows:
(i) surface water would be managed on site to ensure the occurrence and quality of nearby surface waters is not adversely affected. Surface water managementprocedures and safeguards have also been designed so as to avoid any adverse effect on or resulting from flooding activities, and to allow for a suitable drainage system to be incorporated in the final landform;
(ii) there would be a minor reduction in nett groundwater flow across the I Project Site and a slight reduction in the available groundwater storage between high and low groundwater levels. The effect would be to slightly retard groundwater flow from the SEPP 14 Wetland No. 374b thereby increasing the duration of high surface and groundwater levels. It is assessed that this would have a beneficial impact on the wetland which is I often dry for extended periods; (iii) waste acceptance and inspection procedures would ensure the potential I for leachate contamination of groundwater is minimised. There could be an increase in salinity of groundwater in the upper few metres of the aquifer south of the dredge pond in the short term. However, this would I be flushed out and diluted to normal levels in the longer term;
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dust generation from the proposed quarry extension would be managed in an environmentally responsible manner so as to maintain deposited dust levels well below EPA's air quality criteria. Appropriate air quality safeguards would be adopted to ensure minimal impact on air quality;
the SEPP 14 Wetlands north and south of the Project Site would not be adversely impacted upon. Rather, the progressive rehabilitation programme using only local native species and the re-establishment of the vegetated corridor between the wetlands would enhance their ecological integrity;
the activities on the Project Site would continue to be audible from time to time at the Dunmore village but would satisfy the relevant EPA criteria. Product and waste transportation activities are not expected to increase noise levels given that future operations would be undertaken at a similar level to those levels in the past which have not led to any concerns; and
the Company's washing plant, stockpiles and open dredge pond would be visible from the western section of the Killalea State Recreation Area and from some locations within the future residential area to the north of the Project Site for the duration of the project. However, none of these features would be obtrusive or cause any significant visual impact.
The above impacts are justified in that the level of impact would be minor and they are carefully safeguarded by the design of the quarry extension and backfilling operations. The pro-active approach to environmental management adopted by the Company, would further reduce the potential for adverse impact. The safeguards and control measures are outlined in Section 4 of this document. It is also assessed that the cumulative impacts of the proposal with the ongoing operation of the adjoining Dunmore Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot would be minimal.
5.1.3 Economic Considerations The extension of the sand extraction and backfilling operations at the Dunmore Sand Quarry, as described in this Statement, would have significant economic benefits to the Company, its employees, the local community, State and Federal Governments.
Sheliharbour Area
(i) Continued employment of the Company's on-site workforce and drivers transporting products from the Project Site and raw materials and solid wastes to the Project Site.
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(ii) The creation of four additional full-time jobs would be possible with the I ongoing operation of the Dunmore Sand Quarry and backfilling operations.
(iii) Financial contributions by the Company and employees to the local I economy would continue.
Income from royalties (approximately $2 million to $3 million (1995 $)) for Shellharhour Municipal Council for the sand dredged from their I property.
A cost competitive supply of high quality sand products and a range of blended products to the construction and horticultural industries in the I Illawarra Region would continue.
Provision of a site suitable for the receipt of solid wastes generated by the community. I New South Wales
(i) The New South Wales Government would benefit directly from the 1 continued long term employment of the Company's existing workforce, indirect effects in terms of employment, increased economic activity and associated benefits, and the associated payroll tax and other charges and I flow-o ns.
(ii) A cost competitive supply of high quality sand and blended products to the New South Wales construction and horticultural industries would be ma i ntai ned. I Australia I (i) Australia would also benefit through the ongoing direct and indirect I employment and income and corporate taxes.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD - 114 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Section 4 - Evaluation of the Proposal I 5.1.4 Social Considerations I The principle social considerations that would arise from the extension of sand extraction and backfilling operations at the Dunmore Sand Quarry would be as follows:
guaranteed of long term direct employment of the existing workforce both on site and off site, and the possible creation of four additional jobs;
maintenance of indirect employment levels;
boosting local services through continued expenditure by the Company and it's employees;
improved local amenity through the progressive rehabilitation of the Project Site;
the continued provision of a cost competitive local source of sand and blended products for construction, horticultural and other purposes to the local community; and
the provision of an effective and environmentally responsible inert solid waste disposal facility.
5.2 CONSEQUENCES OF NOT PROCEEDING WITH THE PROPOSAL Schedule 2(3)(a) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 1994, I requires that this Environmental Impact Statement address the consequences of not proceeding with the proposal. Such consequences would include:
approximately I million tonnes of sand recoverable by dredging on the j Project Site would not be extracted and a viable project which has been of considerable economic value to the Dunmore area, Sheliharbour Municipality and NSW would be lost;
the Company would no longer be able to continue to supply a cost competitive range of quality raw materials to the construction and 1 horticultural industries, predominantly throughout the Illawarra region;
consumers of the Company's products would have to source their requirements elsewhere, possibly from more distant sources and with a higher transport cost component;
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the Company would need to seek an alternative means of rehabilitating the dredge pond currently on site;
an opportunity to provide a site for the disposal of inert solid waste materials would be lost, necessitating additional landfill capacity to be provided at alternative sites;
the loss of four full-time employment positions on-site, employment for a contract dredge operator, two part time employment positions off the site (project management and accounting) and the potential for four additional jobs;
the loss of indirect employment created by the project such as truck drivers involved in product and solid waste transportation;
the loss of in excess of $200 000 per annum in direct wages;
the opportunity to restore and rehabilitate the land to provide for a long term income-producing land use that blends with the topography and vegetation of the surrounding land, and provides an appropriate long I term surface water corridor between the wetlands to the north and south of the site, would not eventuate;
WE (x) Council would not have the opportunity to gain access to a low cost dredging operation on their land that could be co-ordinated with their on-site programme. The loss of such an opportunity could result in losses to the ratepayers of Sheliharbour Municipal Council of approximately $2 million to $3 million (1995 $); and
(xi) the minor impacts on the local environment outlined in Section 4 would not eventuate.
5.3 EVALUATION OF ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY
5.3.1 Introduction Schedule 2(5) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 1994, requires the justification of the proposal in terms of the principles of Ecologically I Sustainable Development (ESD). ESD is a concept which can be defined as development which uses, conserves and enhances the community's resources in such a I way that ecological processes are maintained and present and future quality of life can be improved. An alternative definition is a development which aims to meet the needs of Australians today, while conserving our ecosystems for the benefit of future I generations.
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Extractive industries, such as that already operating on site, contribute substantially to the material well-being of Australians and are important for regional development. Similarly, the provision of waste disposal facilities, when undertaken in an environmentally responsible manner, would continue to be a necessary requirement, independent of the success of waste minimisation and recycling strategies. However, both extractive and waste disposal industries do involve some degree of environmental disturbance and an appropriate level of environmental management. For this reason, it is the overall objective of the ESD process to ensure compatahility between these industries and the environment. Because quarrying involves the extraction of non- renewable resources, the first step towards achieving ESD involves efficient use of the resource and therefore achieving maximum resource utilisation.
5.3.2 Principles of ESD As defined under Schedule 2(8) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 1994, ESD comprises four principles which are inter-related. The four principles are:
the precautionary principle;
the principle of inter and intra-generational eqLlity;
the principle of the conservation of hiodiversity and ecological integrity; and
the principle for the improved valuation and pricing of environmental resources.
The Precautionary Principle
The principle states that "where there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation. In the application of the precautionary principle, public and private decisions should be guided by:
careful evaluation to avoid, wherever practicable, serious or irreversible damage to the environment; and
an assessment of the risk-weighted consequences of various options" (IGAE, 1992).
To satisfy this principle of ESD, emphasis must be placed on anticipation and prevention of environmental damage, rather than reacting to it. For this purpose, the Company has engaged specialist consultants during the preparation of this Statement
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS- DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 117 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD Section 4 - Evaluation of the Proposal g
I to examine the existing environment, predict possible impacts and recommend safeguards in order to ensure that the level of impact satisfies statutory requirements or reasonable community expectations. Environmental safeguards, as discussed in I Section 4 of this document, are measures that have been planned, with a comprehensive knowledge of the existing environment and an appreciation of the potential impacts, to prevent environmental degradation. Throughout the development I of the proposal, the Company and its consultants have adopted an anticipatory approach to risk, particularly the risk of irreversible ecological damage, by undertaking an appropriate level of research and baseline studies and environmental evaluation. I After a full evaluation of the potential environmental impacts of the continued operation, there are no activities or features of the ongoing operation for which there is a level of uncertainty in achieving an acceptable level of environmental I performance. I Inter-generational Equity
The objective of this ESD principle is that "the present generation should ensure that the health, diversity and productivity of the environment is maintained or enhanced for I the benefit of future generations" (IGAE, 1992).
This principle includes both intra-generational (within generations) and inter- generational (between generations) equity.
Equity within generations requires that the economic and social benefits of the I development he distributed appropriately among all members of the community. The project, and particularly the safeguards with respect to surface and groundwater, air, noise, visibility and soil management, has been designed to ensure that no part of the I community would be unacceptably disadvantaged.
The non-material well-being or "quality of life" of residents of the Dunmore area would continue to he maintained throughout and beyond the life of the project through implementation of safeguard measures to mitigate any environmental impacts, I and progressive rehabilitation programmes.
The Company's proposal has been SO planned to ensure efficient recovery of the sand I resource both on their land and the adjoining Council-owned land, the production of a range of high quality blended products, and the efficient utilisation of the quarry void space for the disposal of those inert solid waste materials which are neither amenable I economically nor technologically, for recycling. The products produced on site have a wide range of uses in the construction and I horticultural industries. The high quality, fine to mediurn-grained sand, produced on site is ideally suited for use in concrete. Other products produced on site include two grades of filling sand, a range of the blended products, and four grades of soil which I are used in horticultural industries and other related fields.
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The products used in the construction of roads, concrete pavements and infrastructure benefit the local and wider population. Infrastructure, such as roads which typically have a life of 50 to 100 years or longer, benefit both present and future generations. The conversion of construction materials into finished infrastructure is both a process of value adding and a long term investment in the materials. Likewise, the production of a range of soils and blended products for use in enhancing horticulture also has beneficial consequences to inter-generational equity as both present and future generations may benefit. The use of the voids created by the extraction activities would assist in the management of solid wastes and thereby provide additional time for the development of alternative waste management facilities and technologies.
Conservation of Biological Diversity and Ecological Integrity
Biological diversity or biodiversity incorporates the variety of life forms and is usually considered at three levels: genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity. Ecological integrity describes the condition of an ecosystem that is relatively unaltered from its natural state. For the purposes of this assessment, biodiversity is considered both on the Project Site and the SEPP 14 Wetlands to the north and south of the Project Site. These wetlands are an important consideration given their proximity to the site, the surface water connection across the Project Site between the two wetlands and their valuable biological and physical attributes. Of notable contribution to the ecological integrity of the area is the proposed final landform which incorporates a long term surface water corridor on the eastern section of the Project Site between the wetlands. The original corridor between the two wetlands, removed in the late 1890s, would be re-established and revegetated solely using native species and thereby improving the ecological value of the corridor. In light of the Company's rehabilitation programme and the adoption of safeguards to minimise adverse impact, it is considered that the biodiversity of the Project Site and surrounding area would be conserved, maintained and even enhanced.
Improved Valuation and Pricing of Environmental Resources
This principle involves consideration of the materials proposed to be quarried and the surrounding environmental resources (e.g. air, water, land and living things) which may be affected. The value placed by the Company on the environmental resources, other than the extracted resource, is evident in the extent of research, planning and design of environmental safeguards and measures to prevent irreversible damage of these resources.
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5.3.3 Conclusion 1 The proposed extension of sand extraction, blending and backfilling operations (using inertsolid wastes) at the Dunmore Sand Quarry as presented within this document, has been designed to assist in the continued extraction of a regionally significant resource and the use of the resultant void in an efficient and environmentally responsible manner. Such an approach would ensure the short and long term well- I being of the community and compatibility of the development with the environment. The approach taken in planning the proposal has been multi-disciplinary, with foresight and consultation with professionals and various Government Authorities. It I has been assessed that the proposal is socially desirable in that it would produce a range of high quality raw materials for use in construction and horticultural industries and provide waste disposal capacity without compromising the quality of life for I current or future generations, biological diversity and ecological integrity.
I I a I I F1
I 1 I I
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED REFERENCES
EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 123 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD References
ENVIRONMENTAL AND EARTH SCIENCES (1995) "Report to Sheliharbour Municipal Council on Background Water Chemistry at I Dummore Waste Disposal Depot ". IGAE (1992) I "Inter Governmental A green ic/it on the Environment ". KEVIN MILLS & ASSOCIATES PTY LIMITED (1994) "Flora and Fauna Assessment Dunmore Sand and Soil Pty Limited, Dunmore" Prepared for Dunmore Sand and Soil Pty Ltd.
LAWSON AND TRELOAR (1989) "Dunmore Lakes Park Flood Study".
LONGWORTH AND McKENZIE PTY LIMITED (1989) "Environmental Impact Statement - Proposed Sand Extraction, Dunmore, NSW' I Prepared for Tor Pty Limited. ' PATI'ERSON BRI1TON AND JEWELL (1995) "Hydrological and Hydrogeological Assessment Extension to Extraction Licence Dunmore Sand and Soil Pty Ltd". Prepared for Dunmore Sand and Soil Pty Ltd by Patterson Britton & Partners Pty Ltd and C.M. Jewell and Associates Pty I Limited.
WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION (1980) I "Water Resources lnventoiy
L
I
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED APPENDICES - 127 -
I I I I I I I APPENDIX I I I 1 CORRESPONDENCE FROM I DEPA R TMENT OF URBA N A FFA fRS A ND PLANNING (formerly Department of Planning) I I I I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 129 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD I Appendix 1 - Urban Affairs and Planning
New South Wales Government
I Department of Planning
Remington Centre 175 Liverpool Street, Sydney 2000 I Box 3927 G.P.O. Sydney 2001 R W Corkery & Co Pty Limited DX. 15 Sydney Telephone :(02) 391 2000 Ext: I ORANGE NSW 2800 2071 FacNo.:(02) 3912111 I I- Contact: J. Croft i 3.0 SEP 1993 OurReference:W91/Oii4l/OOI I Your Reference L. ------I
Dear Sir,
EXTENSION OF EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY AND BACKFILLING OPERATIONS, BUCKLEYS ROAD, DUNMORE
I Thank you for your letter of 10 August, 1993 indicating that you are consulting with the Director with regard to the preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the I above development. - As development consent is required for the proposal and it is a designated development within the meaning of Schedule 3 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation, 1980, as amended, an EIS must accompany the development application to the Sheliharbour Council. The EIS shall be prepared in accordance with clause 34 of the Regulation and shall bear a certificate required by clause 26(1)(b) of the Regulation (see Attachment No. 1).
In addition, pursuant to clause 35 of the Regulation, the Director requires that the following matters be specifically addressed in the EIS:
* a full description of the proposed extension, including the staging of extraction, and the relationship with the present operation;
quantities to be extracted;
* the risk of flooding and the impact of flooding on proposed operations;
* measures to prevent impact on adjoining SEPP 14 Wetlands [Nos. 374(a) and 374(b)j I including:
the, pre'ti0u1 of siltation and reduced water quality, and - changes to the hydrological regime of the wetland, especially the curtailing of reduction of any drainage;
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* results of consultation with:
- Department of Conservation and Land Management (Soil Conservation Service) - Department of Water Resources - Environment Protection Authority
Attachment No. 2 is a guide to the type of information most likely to be relevant to the development you propose; not all of the matters raised therein may be appropriate for consideration in the EIS for your proposal; equally, the guide is not exhaustive.
In preparing your EIS you should approach the Sheliharbour Council and take into account any comments Council considers may apply to its determination of the proposal.
Should you require any further information regarding this matter please do not hesitate to contact us again.
Yours faithfully,
B. Adams / Manager Assessments and Major Hazards Branch As Delegate for the Director
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 131 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD I Appendix 1 - Urban Affairs and Planning I New South Wales Government cfIL I Department of Planning
Remington Centre 175 Liverpool Street, Sydney 2000 I Box 3927 G.P.O. Sydney 2001 DX. 15Sydney
I R W Corkey & Co Pty Limited Telephone :(02) 391 2000 Ext: 2071 P0 Box 80 Fax No. :(02) 391 2111 ORANGE NSW 2800 1 Eleanor Jensen WI Contact:
Our Reference :W91/01141/00I
1 Your Reference: I I Dear Sir, EXTENSION OF EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY AND BACKFILLING OPERATIONS, I BUCKLEYS ROAD, DUNMORE Thank you for your letter of 10 June, 1994. It is confirmed that the Director's requirements issued on 27 September, 1993 remain applicable for the proposed extraction site at Dunmore, I including the minor change to the proposal's boundary. -
In addition to the previous Director's requirements, the EIS should specifically consider the signiftcance of remnant vegetation on Lot 24 and for and the development as a whole.
In relation to the general guidelines previously supplied in Attachment No. 2, the Department I requests that you focus on the following matters: . description of the present environment including land use, vegetation cover, identification of I fauna species and aboriginal sites; . the potential impact of the proposal on the remnant vegetation highlighted above and Minnarnurra Creek. Impacts may include discharge of waste water and usage of water. I Proposed mitigation measures should also be identified, including erosion and drainage control and measures to minimise siltation and water quality;
I progressive mitigation measures, landscaping and site restoration:
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I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED a DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD - 132 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Appendix] - Urban Affairs and Planning I I
Should you require any further information regarding this matter please do not hesitate to cOntact us again.
Yours faithfully,
Neville Osborne Acting Manager Assessments and Major Hazards Branch As Delegate for the Director
R.W. CORKERY & CO. FTY LIMITED I I
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I I APPENDIX 2
CORRESPONDENCE FROM GO VERNMENT A UTHORITIES (Coverage of Relevant Specific Issues in Environmental Impact Statement) k L EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 135 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LIMITED I Appendix 2 - Government Autliorities
I APPENDIX 2 DUNMORE SAND EXTRACTION - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD P Correspondence from Government Authorities Coverage of Relevant Specific Issues in Environmental Impact Statement Page 1 of 4
Authority Relevant Specific Issue to be Covered Covered in Section(s) DEPARTMENT OF Section 2 URBAN AFFAIRS 1. Full description of proposed extension: AND PLANNING staging of extraction; 2.4 (formerly Department 1.1, 1.4, 1.5 of PlanninU) relationship to present operation. 2. Quantities to be extracted. 2,4.'l I 3. Risks and impacts of flooding on proposed 3.3.3, 4.1 operations. 4. Measures to prevent impact on adjoining SEPP 14 Wetlands: (I) prevention of siltation and reduced water 4.4.3.1 quality; (H) change to hydrological regime of the wetlands; 4.4.3.1, 4.4.3.2 (Hi) curtailing or reduction of any drainage. 4.4.31 [1 5. Objectives of the proposed designated 2.1.1 development. 6. Description of existing environment likely to be eff ected. Section 3 7. Identification and analysis of the likely environmental interaction between proposed Section 4 designated development and environment. 8. Analysis of the likely environmental impacts. Section 4 9. Consequences of carrying out the proposed P 5.3 designated development. 10. Implications for use and conservation of energy. Appendix 3 11. Environmental, economic and social I considerations. 5.1 12. Protection of environment and likely effectiveness of those measures. Section 4 13. Energy requirements. Appendix 3 I 14. Measures to conserve energy. Appendix 3 15. Any feasible alternatives and reasons for choosing. 2.14, 5.1 16. Consequences for not carrying out the proposed development. 5.3 I 17. Significance of remnant vegetation and impact. 3.7.1, 4.4 18. Impact on Minnamurra Creek and mitigation I measures (erosion and drainage controls). 4.1.3.1, 4.1.2 19. Landscaping and site restoration. 2.12, 3.12
COUNCIL OF 1. Visual Impact. 4.6.2 I MUNICIPALITY OF 2 Impact on development of flora/fauna particularly SHELLHARBOUR within the sensitive wetland and coastal dune 4.4 areas. Impact in terms of traffic generation. 4.7 I Effects on locality and road system. Section 4, 4.7 Impact on archaeological sites. 4.9 Impacts on the ecology and hydrology of adjoining wetlands. 4.4 I Not applicable Impacts on the adjoining coastal foreshore zone. I
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PlY LIMITED a DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LIMITED - 136 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRy Appendix 2 - Government Authorities I
APPENDIX 2 DUNMORE SAND EXTRACTION - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD Correspondence from Government Authorities Coverage of Relevant Specific Issues in Environmental Impact Statement Page 2 of 4
Authority Relevant Specific Issue to be Covered Covered in Section(s)
COUNCIL OF Impacts on water quality, air quaity, dust, noise, MUNICIPALITY OF vibration, runoff and siltation. 4.1, 4.2, 4.5, 4.3 SHELLFIARBOUR - Impacts on environmental heritage. Not Relevant Future use of land. 3.8, 4.8 Impact on environment of any endangered fauna species. 4.4.3.2 Cumulative effects in conjunction with other industires in the catchment. 4.11 Water quality monitoring (surface and groundwater). 4.1.4 Flood risk and impact. 3.3.3, 4.1.3
KIAMA COUNCIL Need for resource. 2.3, 2.14.3 Leachate. 3.4.3, 4.1.3.2 Impact on local and adjoining wetlands. 4.4.3.3 Impact on catchment area and water quality. 4.1 Problems associated with acid sulphate soils 3.5 Visual Impacts. 46.2 Transportation. 4.7 Impact on Killalea Recreation Area. 4.8
DEPARTMENT OF Flood plain management. 4.1 Estuary management. 4.4 Drainage from the site. 3.3 Site survey. Figure 1.3 & 2.1 Method of extraction. 2.4 Quantity and quality of material. 2.3, 2.4, 3.2 Depth of extraction. 2.4.3 Water quality monitoring. 4.1.4 _ation_of_stockpiles.Loc 2.6
ROADS AND 1. Traffic Impact Study. 4.7, Appendix 4 TRAFFIC AUTHORITY NSW FISHERIES Species of marine invertebrate and fish life in the sand extraction pond. 3.7.2.3 Prevention of soil, silt or other material eminating from the works. 4.1, 4.3 Elimination of surface and other runoff. 4.1 Avoid disturbance of current vegetation in small portion excluded from land to be dredged. 4 4 1 Assessment of water quality in SEPP 14 wetland, Minnamurra River and Rocklow Creek. 4.1
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 137 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LIMITED I Appendix 2 - Government Authorities
I APPENDIX 2 DUNMORE SAND EXTRACTION - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD I Correspondence from Government Authorities Coverage of Relevant Specific Issues in Environmental Impact Statement Page 3 of 4
I Authority Relevant Specific Issue to be Covered Covered in Section(s) NATIONAL PARKS Impacts on native fauna includinQ endangered 443 49 AND WILDLIFE species, Aboriginal sites and habitat conservation. I SERVICE 2. Survey of Aboriginal sites. 3.9 3. Impacts on SEPP 14 wetlands: effects on water quality and any ameliorative measures; 4.1, 4.4.3 I mechanisms to buffer the wetland; 4.1.2, 4.4.3 monitoring of changes in water level in the wetland. 4.1.2, 4.4.3 I 4. Description of soil conservation practice. 4.3 5. Weed management programme. 4.4.1, 4.8
DEPARTMENT OF Amount of construction sand available. 2.3 MINERAL Geological, technical and mining criteria used to I RESOURCES calculate size of the resource. 2.3 Location of Drill Holes, Figure 3.4 Plans summarising data. Not Required I Characteristics of materials to be produced. 2.3, 2.6 Details of tests carried out. 1.5.5, 3.2 Assessment of quality. 3.2 I Main markets for production. 4.11 Life of operation. 2.12 Anticipated annual production. 2.4.4 I Alternative sources to the proposal. 2.14.2 Justification for the proposal. 5.1
I ILLAWARRA Possible re-zoning of Lots 15 and 16, DP 3710. 1.6.2, 3.8.4.3 ELECTRICITY Use of property for residential development and a golf course. 1.6.2, 3.8.4.3. 4.8 Dwellings effected by proposed development. 2.9.3, 4.8 I Electricity supplies to property. 3.12
S.oiLRelatedissues I DEPARTMENT OF Erosion hazard. 4.3.3 LAND AND WATER 4.3 CONSERVATION Sediment transport. (formerly Department Water quality control. 4.1 of Conservation and 2.13 I Land Management) Rehabilitation procedures. Protection of the wetland from contamination. 4.4 Rehabilitation as near as possible to original state. 2.13 Sand fencing at edge of site work to prevent sand I drift Not Required WaterJRelated.Issues I jNospecUicrequhements I
I R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED
A DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LIMITED - 138 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Appendix 2 - Government Authorities I
APPENDIX 2
DUNMORE SAND EXTRACTION - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LIMITED Correspondence from Government Authorities Coverage of Relevant Specific Issues in Environmental Impact Statement Page 4 of 4
ENVIRONMENT Compliance with Conditions of SPCC Approval To be reviewed with PROTECTION 87/372, issued 17th February 1988. EPA AUTHORITY Storniwateri3unoff: - diversion of run-on and collection of run-off, proposals for stormwater management; 4.1 - flood history environmental impact of dredge pond overflows; 3.3.3, 4.1 - frequent monitoring of water levels in dredge pond. 4.1.4 Dredgepond_water quality: - monitoring programme; 4.1.4 - impact of dredge pond water quality on wetlands. 4.4.3.1 AcidSuIphateSoils: - likelihood of occurrence and generation of acid leachate. 3.5 BufferStripsandSiteBevegetation: - avoid disturbance of vegetation in areas not designated for dredging; 4.4 - adequacy of current buffers and those proposed; No buffers planned - timetable for revegetation. 3.12.4 Noise: - current and predicted noise levels; 3.9, 4.5 - environmental management plan. - 1.7
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED - 139 -
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I i APPENDIX 3
I I I ENERGY S TA TEMEN T I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 141 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LIMITED I Appendix 3 - Energy Statement
I ENERGY STATEMENT This Energy Statement has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Office of Energy and provides a concise assessment of the impact the continued sand extraction and hackfilling operations of the Dunmore Sand Quany on energy resources, particularly liquid fuels.
1.0 BACKGROUND INFORMATION I The continued operation of the Dunmore Sand Quarry would involve the extraction of approximately 1 million tonnes of sand by dredging between 3 m and 16 m, continued on-site processing, stockpiling, blending and the hackfilling of all extracted areas with I inert solid wastes. The dredge and mobile equipment involved in stockpiling and transporting product I on-site are powered by diesel fuel. The processing plant is powered by electricity. A small quantity of electrical power is also used in the workshop and for lighting. I The sand and blended products produced on-site are transported from the Project Site in highway trucks and trailers. I 2.0 ENERGY REQUIREMENTS I 2.1 Sand Extraction I The Company estimates that the current liquid fuel usage for sand extraction by dredging would account for between 40 000 L and 70 000 L of diesel fuel per year. The current 3 year average diesel fuel usage by the dredge is 58 000 L per year. I
2.2 On-Site Activities 1 The Company estimates that the on-site activities involving mobile equipment such as the front-end loader and small truck would utilise between 40 000 L and 80 000 L of I diesel fuel per year. The current 3 year average is 64 000 L per year.
R 2.3 Processing Electrical power usage for processing and lighting is estimated to he approximately 20 000 kWh per month. The average electrical power consumption over the past 3 I months was 19 700 kWh per month. I 3.4 Product Transportation Product transportation and subsequent fuel usage involves both Company and/or I contracted trucks and other customers using their own trucks.
RW. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTYLIMITED - 142 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Appendix 3 - Energ Statement
The Company estimates a fuel usage of approximately 40 000 L per year for Company product transportation, assuming an average load of 20 tonnes, 12() trips trips per month and an average of 85 000 km travelled per year. Other customers travel between 3 km and 300 km to and from the Project Site. Assuming an average round trip of 60 km, an average load of 20 tonnes, 8 500 loads per year, a total of approximately 510 000 km per year would he travelled by other customers. This equates to a fuel usage of approximately 230 000 L per year. Hence total fuel usage for product transportation would range between 100 000 L and 300 000 L per year.
3.0 JUSTIFICATION OF FUEL USAGE
3.1 Sand Extraction The method of sand extraction used is the most effective and feasible method of recovery of the sand resource on the Project Site.
3.2 Processing Use of electricity to power the processing plant is seen as the most economic and practical means to operate the plant as opposed to diesel fuelled generators.
3.3 Transportation There is no feasible alternative form of product transportation for the market network supplied. Truck transportation is the only feasible form of product delivery, especially since many sales are relatively small and within the local area and the Illawarra region.
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LtMITED 1 -143-
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I APPENDIX 4
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TRA EPIC IMPA CT ASSESSMENT I EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY - 145 - DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LIMITED 1 Appendix 4 - Traffic Impact Assessment PRELIMINARY TRAFFIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT I DUNMORE SAND QUARRY KEY TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC ISSUES I COVERED IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT 'pagei of 2 ISSUE SECTION IN DOCUMENT I BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVELOPMENT 1.1, 2.1
I DESCRIPTION OF THE SITE AND PROI'OSED ACTIVITY I Sections 2 and 3
Current land use characteristics (zoning) of the I proposed site and land use in the vicinity 3
I THE EXISTING TRAFFIC CONI)ITIONS I Inventory of road widths, road conditions, traffic I management and parking control 3.13 I TRAFFIC FLOWS
0 Estimate of the speed of traffic on the road to which I .13 vehicular access is proposed 3 I . Daily and peak period heavy vehicle flows and 1.5.7, 2.7, 4.7.3, 2.7 I nerce n taces Accident history of road nc(\vork in the area 3.13 I 1 I I'UBLIC TRANSIORT I DEVELOI'MENTS IN THE VICINITY 1 1.6.2, 3.&4, 4.S, 4.11 I Nature of development I Section 2 I . Staging and timing of development 2.4.3
I RW. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LIMITED - 146 - EIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY Appenalx 4 - I rajJic Impact Assessinen PRELIMINARY TRAFFIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT DUNMORE SAND QUARRY
KEY TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC ISSUES COVERED IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT age 2 of 2
ISSUE SECTION IN DOCUMENT
ACCESS
Site distance of driveways and comparisons with 3.13 stopping and desirable minimum sight distances
S Parking Layout I No Specitic Plan
Daily and seasonal factors I 2.7
Assessment of Road Safety Impact 1 4.7
Daily traffic flows and composition on key streets and their expected effect on the environment, particularly in 4.7.3, 4.11 residential areas
Other developments in the vicinity, their timing and likely impact, if known 1.6.2, 3.8.4, 4.8, 4.11
I RECOMMENDEI) WORKS
Improvements to roads, signals, roundabouts and other traffic management measures None Required
* Extract from "Guide to Traffic Generating I)evelopmnents - December 1993"
R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED DUNMORE SAND AND SOIL PTY LTD LIS - DUNMORE SAND QUARRY
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Dunmore Recycling
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R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY LIMITED