GOLD COAST QUARRY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
APRIL 2013
Document Information
Prepared for Boral Resources (Qld) Pty Limited Project Name Gold Coast Quarry File Reference Final EIS (Consultation Release).docx Job Reference HRP12003 Date April 2013
Document Control
Version Date Author Author Reviewer Reviewer Initials Initials
Draft Mar 2013 Scott Clarke Matthew Schneider
Final Apr 2013 Scott Clarke Matthew Schneider
Prepared for: Boral Resources (Qld) Pty Limited Level 6 88 Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove QLD 4059 Prepared by: Cardno HRP
Cardno HRP retains ownership and copyright of the contents of this document including drawings, plans, figures and other work produced by Cardno HRP. This document is not to be reproduced in full or in part, unless separately approved by Cardno HRP. The client may use this document only for the purpose for which it was prepared. No third party is entitled to use or rely on this document.
This report is based on our opinion of the town planning issues that arise from the statutory provisions relating to this site. Comments and conclusions in or construed from this report relating to matters of law are not to be relied upon. You should only rely upon the advice of your professional legal advisors with respect to matters of law. This report is provided on the basis that our standard Terms and Conditions apply. For a copy, please contact us or visit http://www.hrppc.com.au/TermsConditions. Our report is based on information made available by the client. The validity and comprehensiveness of supplied information has not been independently verified and, for the purposes of this report, it is assumed that the information provided to Cardno HRP is both complete and accurate. Whilst, to the best of our knowledge, the information contained in this report is accurate at the date of issue, changes may occur to the site conditions, the site context or the applicable planning framework. This report should not be used after any such changes without consulting the provider of the report or a suitably qualified person.
Gold Coast Quarry Environmental Impact Statement – Executive Summary
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... I
EXPANDED TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... II
APPENDICES ...... IX
1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1
2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ...... 52
3 PLANNING AND LAND USE ...... 84
4 ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES AND MANAGEMENT OF IMPACTS ...... 125
5 SOCIAL VALUES AND MANAGEMENT OF IMPACTS ...... 267
6 ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT OF IMPACTS ...... 277
7 HAZARD AND RISK ...... 293
8 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS ...... 318
9 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ...... 321
10 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ...... 325
11 MATTERS OF NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE ...... 329
12 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 346
13 REFERENCES ...... 360
GLOSSARY ...... 382
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Expanded Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... I
EXPANDED TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... II
APPENDICES ...... IX
1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1.1 Environmental Record ...... 1 1.1.2 Proponent’s Operational Policies ...... 1 1.1.3 Consultant Team ...... 2 1.1.4 Function and Structure of the EIS ...... 2 1.2 Project Description ...... 5 1.2.1 The Quarry Process ...... 6 1.2.2 Stages of Development ...... 7 1.2.3 Land Ownership ...... 9 1.2.4 Major Infrastructure Requirements ...... 9 1.3 Project Rationale ...... 10 1.3.1 Refinement of the Design Process ...... 10 1.3.2 Timeline of Events ...... 10 1.3.3 Justification for the Project ...... 11 1.4 Relationship to other Projects ...... 12 1.4.1 Co-Location of Proposed or Existing Infrastructure ...... 12 1.4.1.1 West Burleigh Quarry ...... 12 1.5 Project Alternatives ...... 14 1.5.1 State Planning Policy 2/07 ...... 14 1.5.2 Planning Scheme Identification of Resources ...... 15 1.5.3 Overview of the Significance of the Resource ...... 16 1.5.4 Impact if project does not proceed ...... 18 1.6 The Environmental Impact Assessment Process ...... 19 1.6.1 Methodology of the EIS ...... 19 1.6.2 Objectives of the EIS ...... 20 1.6.3 Submissions ...... 21 1.7 Public Consultation Process ...... 22 1.7.1 Objectives and Methods ...... 22 1.7.1.1 Integration with EIS ...... 22 1.7.1.2 Strategies ...... 22 1.7.1.3 Identification of Key Stakeholders ...... 23 1.7.1.4 Community and Stakeholder Engagement Plan ...... 23 1.7.1.5 List of Stakeholders Consulted ...... 24 1.7.1.6 Consultation Activities ...... 28 1.8 Project Approvals ...... 29 1.8.1 Relevant Legislation and Approvals ...... 29 1.8.1.1 Commonwealth Legislation ...... 29 1.8.1.2 Queensland State Government Legislation ...... 33 1.8.2 Relevant Plans ...... 49 1.8.3 Environmentally Relevant Activities ...... 50 1.8.4 Accredited process for controlled actions under Commonwealth legislation ...... 51
2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ...... 52 2.1 Overview of the Project ...... 52
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2.1.1.1 Rationale for Preferred Operating Scenario ...... 52 2.1.1.2 Key Components of the Project ...... 52 2.1.1.3 The Quarry Process ...... 53 2.1.1.4 Stages of Development ...... 54 2.1.1.5 Description of the Resource ...... 56 2.1.1.6 Environmental Design Features ...... 57 2.1.1.7 Methods for Product Storage and Transport ...... 57 2.1.1.8 Cost, Timing and Duration ...... 57 2.1.1.9 Development Stages ...... 57 2.1.1.10 Progressive and Final Site Rehabilitation ...... 70 2.2 Location ...... 71 2.3 Construction Phase ...... 73 2.3.1 Establishment, Development and Construction Stages ...... 73 2.4 Operational Stage ...... 76 2.5 Associated Infrastructure ...... 77 2.5.1.1 On-Site Sewage ...... 78 2.5.1.2 Alternative Approaches ...... 79 2.5.1.3 Energy and Water Conservation ...... 79 2.5.2 Road Transport ...... 79 2.5.3 Water Management and Infrastructure ...... 81 2.6 Decommissioning and Rehabilitation ...... 83 2.6.1 Rehabilitation ...... 83 2.6.2 Decommissioning and End Use ...... 83 2.6.3 Lake Water Quality Management Plan ...... 83
3 PLANNING AND LAND USE ...... 84 3.1 Planning ...... 84 3.1.1 Relevant Plans ...... 84 3.1.1.1 South East Queensland Regional Plan ...... 84 3.1.1.2 South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program 2010–2031 ...... 86 3.1.1.3 State Coastal Management Plan ...... 88 3.1.1.4 State Planning Policy (SPP) 2/07: Protection of Extractive Resources ...... 89 3.1.1.5 SPP 5/10 Guideline Air, Noise and Hazardous Materials ...... 94 3.1.1.6 SPP 4/10 for Healthy Waters ...... 94 3.1.1.7 SPP 1/03: Mitigating the Adverse Impacts of Flood, Bushfire and Landslide ...... 95 3.1.1.8 SPP 2/10: South East Queensland Koala Conservation ...... 95 3.1.1.9 SPP 1/92: Development and the Conservation of Agricultural Land ...... 96 3.1.1.10 Gold Coast Planning Scheme ...... 96 3.1.1.11 GCCC Land Development Guidelines ...... 106 3.1.1.12 GCCC Open Space Management Plan Guidelines ...... 107 3.1.1.13 GCCC Burleigh to Springbrook Bioregional Corridor Study ...... 107 3.1.1.14 GCCC Nature Conservation Strategy 2009-2019 ...... 108 3.1.1.15 Other Instruments ...... 109 3.1.2 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures ...... 115 3.1.2.1 Sustainable Planning Act Provisions ...... 115 3.2 Land ...... 120 3.2.1 Land Use and Tenure ...... 120 3.2.1.1 Description of the environment ...... 120 3.2.1.2 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures ...... 120 3.2.2 Extractive Resources ...... 121 3.2.2.1 Extent of Resource ...... 122 3.2.2.2 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures ...... 123
4 ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES AND MANAGEMENT OF IMPACTS ...... 125 4.1 Climate, Natural Hazards and Climate Change ...... 125
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4.1.1 Description of Environmental Values ...... 125 4.1.1.1 Climatic Influences, Seasonal Conditions and Natural Hazards ...... 125 4.1.1.2 Climate Risk Assessment ...... 125 4.1.1.3 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures ...... 126 4.1.1.4 Energy sources ...... 126 4.1.2 Flood Plain Management ...... 127 4.1.2.0 Description of Environmental Values ...... 127 4.1.2.1 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures ...... 128 4.2 Land Issues ...... 128 4.2.1 Scenic Amenity ...... 128 4.2.1.1 Description of Environmental Values ...... 128 4.2.1.2 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures ...... 131 4.2.2 Lighting ...... 135 4.2.2.1 Description of Environmental Values ...... 135 4.2.2.2 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures ...... 135 4.2.3 Topography, geology and soils ...... 136 4.2.3.1 Description of Environmental Values ...... 136 4.2.3.2 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures ...... 140 4.2.4 Land contamination ...... 143 4.2.4.1 Description of Environmental Values ...... 143 4.2.4.2 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures ...... 143 4.3 Nature Conservation ...... 147 4.3.1 Sensitive Environmental Areas...... 147 4.3.1.1 Description of Environmental Impacts ...... 147 4.3.1.2 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures ...... 150 4.3.2 Terrestrial Flora ...... 155 4.3.2.1 Description of Environmental Values ...... 155 4.3.2.2 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures ...... 157 4.3.3 Terrestrial fauna ...... 165 4.3.3.1 Description of Environmental Values ...... 165 4.3.3.2 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures ...... 167 4.3.4 Aquatic Ecology ...... 173 4.3.4.1 Description of Environmental Values ...... 173 4.3.4.2 Potential impacts and mitigation measures ...... 175 4.4 Water Resources ...... 177 4.4.1 Description of Environmental Values ...... 177 4.4.1.1 Surface Water / Stormwater ...... 177 4.4.1.2 Groundwater ...... 179 4.4.2 Potential impacts and mitigation measures ...... 181 4.4.2.1 Surface Water / Stormwater ...... 181 4.4.2.2 Monitoring Program ...... 184 4.4.2.3 Residual Impacts ...... 186 4.4.2.4 Hydrological Impacts on Ecological Aspects ...... 186 4.4.2.5 Water Reuse ...... 186 4.4.3 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures - Groundwater ...... 187 4.5 Air Quality ...... 190 4.5.1 Description of Environmental Values ...... 190 4.5.1.1 Regional Climate ...... 191 4.5.1.2 Local Meteorology ...... 191 4.5.1.3 Existing Air Quality ...... 192 4.5.2 Potential impacts and mitigation measures ...... 193 4.5.2.1 Potential human health risks ...... 195 4.5.2.2 Potential impacts on terrestrial flora and fauna ...... 195 4.5.2.3 Best practice mitigation measures ...... 196 4.5.2.4 Respirable Crystalline Silica Assessment ...... 196
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4.6 Greenhouse Gas Emissions ...... 199 4.6.1 Description of Environmental Values ...... 199 4.6.1.1 Reporting Tools ...... 199 4.6.1.2 Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions ...... 200 4.6.1.3 Site Development and Construction Stage ...... 200 4.6.1.4 Operations Stage ...... 200 4.6.1.5 Methodology to Estimate Greenhouse Gas Emissions ...... 200 4.6.1.6 Emissions Inventory ...... 201 4.6.2 Potential impacts and mitigation measures ...... 202 4.6.3 Potential benefits ...... 204 4.7 Noise and Vibration ...... 205 4.7.1a Noise: Description of Environmental Values ...... 205 4.7.1a.1 Proposed Hours of Operation ...... 206 4.7.1a.2 Description of Environmental Values ...... 206 4.7.1a.3 Background Noise Levels and Relevant Noise Level Limits ...... 207 4.7.1b Vibration: Description of Environmental Values ...... 210 4.7.1b.1 Effects of Blasting ...... 210 4.7.1b.2 Quarry Blasting Practices ...... 212 4.7.2a Noise: Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures ...... 213 4.7.2a.1 Establishment Stage ...... 214 4.7.2a.2 Development Stage ...... 215 4.7.2a.3 Construction Stage ...... 216 4.7.2a.4 Quarrying Operation Stage ...... 217 4.7.2a.5 Workshop Noise ...... 221 4.7.2a.6 Discussion of Noise Impacts on Terrestrial and Aquatic Fauna ...... 222 4.7.2a.7 Road Traffic Noise ...... 223 4.7.2a.8 Summary of Mitigation Measures ...... 224 4.7.2a.9 Noise Management Plans ...... 224 4.7.2b Vibration: Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures ...... 225 4.7.2b.1 Blasting Impacts ...... 225 4.7.2b.2 Controlling Flyrock ...... 226 4.7.2b.3 Impact Assessment ...... 227 4.7.2b.4 Mitigation Measures ...... 228 4.7.2b.5 Blasting Controls ...... 229 4.7.2b.6 Pre-Construction Surveys ...... 229 4.8 Waste ...... 233 4.8.1 Waste Generation ...... 233 4.8.1.1 Waste Sources ...... 233 4.8.2 Waste management ...... 236 4.8.2.1 Waste Management Hierarchy ...... 236 4.8.2.2 Waste Management Process ...... 238 4.8.2.3 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures ...... 238 4.8.2.4 Waste Management Plan ...... 239 4.9 Transport ...... 240 4.9.1 Introduction ...... 240 4.9.1.1 Project Overview ...... 240 4.9.1.2 Site Access ...... 240 4.9.1.3 Site Activity ...... 240 4.9.1.4 Project Timing ...... 240 4.9.1.5 Hours of Activity ...... 241 4.9.1.6 Project Workforce ...... 241 4.9.1.7 Pre-operations Phase ...... 241 4.9.1.8 Project Haulage ...... 242 4.9.2 Existing Conditions ...... 242 4.9.2.1 Road Network ...... 242
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4.9.2.2 Study Intersections ...... 243 4.9.3 Road Network Planning ...... 244 4.9.4 Baseline Traffic Demands ...... 244 4.9.4.1 Without TMR’s Future Bermuda Street Connection ...... 244 4.9.4.2 With TMR’s Future Bermuda Street Connection ...... 245 4.9.5 Project Traffic Demands ...... 245 4.9.5.1 Pre-operations Phase Traffic Demands ...... 245 4.9.5.2 Operations Phase Traffic Demands ...... 245 4.9.6 Project Traffic Distribution ...... 246 4.9.7 Intersection Assessment ...... 246 4.9.7.1 Study Intersections ...... 246 4.9.7.2 Without TMR’s Future Bermuda Street Connection ...... 247 4.9.7.3 With TMR’s Future Bermuda Street Connection ...... 248 4.9.8 Ramp Assessment ...... 249 4.9.8.1 Study Ramps ...... 249 4.9.8.2 Without TMR’s Future Bermuda Street Connection ...... 249 4.9.8.3 With TMR’s Future Bermuda Street Connection ...... 249 4.9.9 Pavement Assessment ...... 250 4.9.9.1 Spatial Extent of Pavement Assessment ...... 250 4.9.9.2 Without TMR’s Future Bermuda Street Connection ...... 250 4.9.9.3 With TMR’s Future Bermuda Street Connection ...... 250 4.9.10 Project Impacts on Other Modes of Transportation ...... 250 4.9.11 Schools ...... 251 4.9.12 Road Safety ...... 251 4.9.13 Parking ...... 251 4.9.14 Disabled Access ...... 251 4.9.15 Oversized or Indivisible Loads ...... 251 4.9.16 Product-spills During Transport ...... 251 4.9.17 Traffic Management Plan ...... 251 4.9.18 Conclusion ...... 251 4.10 Indigenous Cultural Heritage ...... 253 4.10.1 Description of Existing Indigenous Cultural Heritage Values ...... 253 4.10.1.1 Legislative Framework ...... 253 4.10.1.2 Cultural Heritage Context ...... 255 4.10.1.3 Cultural Heritage Management Plan ...... 256 4.10.1.4 Cultural Heritage Survey ...... 257 4.10.1.5 Significance Assessment ...... 258 4.10.2 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures ...... 259 4.10.2.1 Potential Impacts ...... 259 4.10.2.2 Measures to Mitigate Impacts ...... 260 4.11 Non-Indigenous Cultural Heritage ...... 262 4.11.1 Description of Existing Non-Indigenous Cultural Heritage Values ...... 262 4.11.1.1 Review of Heritage Registers ...... 262 4.11.1.2 Consultation with Stakeholders ...... 263 4.11.1.3 Background History ...... 263 4.11.1.4 Results of Field Survey ...... 263 4.11.1.5 Further Non-Indigenous Cultural Heritage Potential ...... 264 4.11.2 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures ...... 264 4.11.2.1 Sites for Nomination to Queensland Heritage Register ...... 265 4.11.2.2 Impacts ...... 265 4.11.2.3 Mitigation Measures ...... 265
5 SOCIAL VALUES AND MANAGEMENT OF IMPACTS ...... 267 5.1 Description of Existing Social Environment ...... 267
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5.1.1 Social and Cultural Area ...... 267 5.1.2 Community Engagement Methodology ...... 268 5.1.3 Social Baseline Study ...... 269 5.1.4 Workforce Profile ...... 270 5.2 Potential Impacts and Mitigation ...... 271 5.2.1 Mitigation Measures and Management Strategies ...... 272
6 ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT OF IMPACTS ...... 277 6.1 Economy ...... 277 6.1.1 Description of affected local and regional economies ...... 277 6.1.1.1 Gold Coast Economic Base ...... 277 6.1.1.2 Major Projects ...... 277 6.1.1.3 Local Quarry Industry ...... 277 6.1.1.4 Local and Regional Economies ...... 278 6.1.1.5 Population and Household Growth ...... 279 6.1.1.6 Labour market ...... 279 6.1.1.7 Property Market ...... 279 6.1.1.8 Gross Regional Product ...... 281 6.1.1.9 Region’s Competitive Advantage ...... 281 6.1.2 Potential Impacts and Mitigation measures ...... 281 6.1.2.1 Need Analysis ...... 281 6.1.2.2 Impact on Local and Regional Economies ...... 282 6.1.2.3 Impact on the Labour Market ...... 283 6.1.2.4 Economic Activity and Employment Generation ...... 283 6.1.2.5 Cost Benefit Analysis ...... 283 6.1.3 Likely Impacts on adjacent properties ...... 288 6.1.3.1 Impact on Property Values – Analogous Examples ...... 288 6.1.3.2 Impact on Property Values – Consequence of Gold Coast Quarry Announcement ...... 289 6.1.3.3 Impact on Property Values – Consequence of Gold Coast Quarry Operations ...... 290 6.1.4 Strategies for Local Participation ...... 291 6.1.5 Summary ...... 292
7 HAZARD AND RISK ...... 293 7.1 Hazard and Risk Assessment ...... 293 7.1.1.1 Hazards and Risks to People and Property ...... 293 7.1.1.2 Risk Management Plan ...... 294 7.1.1.3 Key Hazards and Incident Scenarios ...... 308 7.1.1.4 Bushfire Management Plan ...... 311 7.2 Health and Safety ...... 314 7.2.1 Description of Public Health and Safety Communities ...... 314 7.2.2 Potential Impact and Mitigation Measures ...... 314 7.3 Emergency Management Plan...... 316
8 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS ...... 318 8.1 Cumulative Impacts ...... 318 8.1.1 Other Quarry Proposals ...... 318 8.1.2 Extent of Resource ...... 318 8.1.3 Surrounding Area ...... 319
9 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ...... 321
10 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ...... 325 10.1 Purpose and Objectives of the Draft EMP ...... 325 10.2 Scope of the Draft EMP ...... 325
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10.3 Related Management Plans ...... 325 10.4 Performance Requirements ...... 326 10.5 Roles and Responsibilities ...... 326 10.6 Framework for Draft EMP ...... 326 10.7 Auditing ...... 328 10.8 Reporting ...... 328
11 MATTERS OF NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE ...... 329 11.1 Introduction ...... 329 11.1.1 Description of the Action ...... 329 11.1.2 Relationship with Other Actions ...... 330 11.1.3 Project Team and Agencies Consulted ...... 330 11.1.4 Environmental Record ...... 330 11.2 Listed Threatened Species and Ecological Communities ...... 331 11.2.1 List of potential listed threatened species and ecological communities and their status ...... 331 11.2.1.1 Threatened ecological communities ...... 331 11.2.1.2 Threatened Flora Species ...... 331 11.2.1.3 Threatened Fauna Species ...... 332 11.2.1.4 Migratory species ...... 332 11.2.1.5 Potential Wetlands of International Importance ...... 332 11.3 Species Surveys ...... 334 11.3.1 Ecological Communities / Flora Surveys ...... 334 11.3.2 Fauna Surveys ...... 334 11.4 Relevant Impacts ...... 335 11.4.1 Land Clearing ...... 335 11.4.1.1 Potential loss of biodiversity ...... 335 11.4.1.2 Habitat fragmentation and edge effects ...... 335 11.4.1.3 Corridor connectivity ...... 335 11.4.1.4 Hydrological impacts ...... 336 11.4.2 Water Resources and Pollution ...... 336 11.4.2.1 Surface water ...... 336 11.4.2.2 Water quality ...... 336 11.4.2.3 Groundwater ...... 336 11.4.3 Weeds and Exotic Fauna ...... 337 11.4.3.1 Weed Species ...... 337 11.4.3.2 Feral Fauna ...... 337 11.5 Impact Assessments for MNES ...... 338 11.5.1 Threatened Ecological Communities ...... 338 11.5.2 Threatened Flora Species ...... 338 11.5.3 Threatened Fauna Species ...... 338 11.5.4 Migratory Species ...... 338 11.5.5 Risk assessment for Scheduled Species ...... 340 11.6 Avoidance, Mitigation and Offset measures to reduce the impacts to the MNES ...... 341 11.6.1 Avoidance and reduction of impacts on MNES ...... 341 11.6.2 Mitigation Measures ...... 341 11.6.3 Offset Measures for Residual Impacts ...... 344 11.7 Monitoring and Reporting ...... 345 11.8 Ecologically Sustainable Development Principles ...... 345
12 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 346
13 REFERENCES ...... 360
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GLOSSARY ...... 382
Appendices
Appendix A Terms of Reference Appendix B Figures Appendix C Design Plans – Quarry Appendix D Staging Plans – Access Infrastructure Appendix E Project maps Appendix F Sensitive Receptor Maps Appendix G Proponent’s Environmental Record and Operational Policies Appendix H Alternative Rock Resources Appendix I Community and Stakeholder Engagement Report Appendix J Community and Stakeholder Engagement Plan Appendix K Proposed Staging Details for Quarry Appendix L Site Infrastructure Report Appendix M Electrical Services Report Appendix N Landscape Rehabilitation Plan Appendix O Lake Water Quality Management Plan Appendix P Town Planning Assessment Report Appendix Q Geological and Geotechnical Report Appendix R Climate Change Report Appendix S Visual Impact Assessment Appendix T Lighting Report Appendix U Land Contamination Report Appendix V Overburden Management Plan Appendix W Sediment and Erosion Control Program Appendix X Flora and Fauna Technical Report Appendix Y Koala Management Plan Appendix Z Vegetation Offset Proposal Appendix AA VMA Response Appendix BB Aquatic Ecological Report Appendix CC Water Resources and Floodplain Management Report Appendix DD Watercourse Determination Appendix EE Stormwater Management Plan Appendix FF Groundwater Report Appendix GG Air Quality Report Appendix HH Greenhouse Gas Report Appendix II Acoustic Assessment Appendix JJ Blasting Report Appendix KK Waste Management Plan Appendix LL Traffic Impact Assessment Appendix MM Indigenous Cultural Heritage Assessment Appendix NN Non-Indigenous Cultural Heritage Assessment Appendix OO Social Impact Assessment Appendix PP Economic Impact Assessment Appendix QQ Hazard Risk Assessment Appendix RR Bushfire Management Plan Appendix SS Emergency Response Plan Appendix TT Environmental Management Plan
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Appendix UU Matters of National Environmental Significance Appendix VV Cross Reference Table Appendix WW Study Team Appendix XX List of Proponent Commitments
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1 Introduction
Boral Resources (Qld) Pty Limited (the proponent), a wholly owned subsidiary of Boral Limited, primarily serves customers in the building and construction industries through the production and distribution of a broad range of construction materials including quarry products, pre-mix concrete and asphalt. Boral operates over one hundred operational sites across Queensland, including thirty (30) quarries, sixty- eight (68) concrete batching plants, and sixteen (16) asphalt plants. The business is geographically diverse with operations in all major coastal centres from the Gold Coast to Cairns and westward as far as Barcaldine. Boral has held a key position supplying construction materials across South East Queensland for a number of years with numerous quarries, concrete plants and asphalt operations serving the infrastructure and construction markets from strategic locations, close to market, across the region. Within the Gold Coast region, Boral currently operates four (4) quarries (Yatala, Stapylton, Ormeau and West Burleigh), eight (8) concrete batching plants (Robina, Benowa, Labrador, Coomera, Beenleigh, Chinderah as well as two (2) Q-Crete plants) and one (1) fixed asphalt plant (West Burleigh). One of the quarries currently operated by Boral includes the West Burleigh Quarry, which is located approximately 500m to the east of the site that is the subject of this EIS. Boral’s operations in the above operation have, in more recent times, contributed to the construction of the following, major infrastructure and development projects in the Gold Coast region: > Gold Coast Rapid Transit light rail line (the southern section); > Hinze Dam Stage 3 upgrade; > Robina to Varsity Lakes railway line extension; > Mudgeeraba interchange to the M1; > Nerang South interchange to the M1; > Coolangatta Airport runway extension; > Banora Point motorway upgrade; > Desalination Plant and the associated pipeline at Tugun; and > Merrimac Sewage Treatment Plant. 1.1.1 Environmental Record The proponent’s environmental record is included at Appendix G.
1.1.2 Proponent’s Operational Policies The proponent operates under a number of corporate policies, including: > Environmental Policy; > Diversity Policy; > Working with Respect Policy; > Code of Corporate Conduct Policy; > Competition Law Policy; and > Health and Safety Policy. The proponent also administers Road Transport Code of Conduct as well as a number of other Standard Operating Procedures. The above policies and procedures are administered by the proponent across their entire Queensland portfolio. Copies of the relevant Policies are included at Appendix G.
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1.1.3 Consultant Team The proponent has engaged a multi-disciplinary team to address all of the items raised in the TOR. A summary of the consultant team and the disciplines with which they are associated in provided in the table below: Table 1-1: Project Team
Consultant Project Specialisation Cardno HRP > Project Management > Town Planning Acoustics RB > Acoustics Katestone Environmental Pty Ltd > Air Quality > Climate change > Greenhouse gas emissions Blastechnology > Blasting impact (vibration and overpressure) Lambert & Rehbein > Project engineers Three Plus > Community stakeholder engagement Jabree Limited > Indigenous cultural heritage Norling Consulting > Economic impact > Cost benefit analysis Cardno Chenoweth > Ecological aspects (terrestrial fauna and flora) > Visual assessment FRC Environmental > Aquatic flora and fauna BMT WBM Pty Ltd > Stormwater quality and quantity > Surface water hydraulics > Flooding Groundwork Plus > Geotechnical and geological aspects Australasian Groundwater & Environmental Consultants > Groundwater Risk Tools Pty Ltd > Risk management Converge Heritage and Community > Non-Indigenous cultural heritage Cardno Traffic & Transport > Traffic impact ImpaxSIA Consulting > Social Impact
Specific details relating to the personnel from each of the above described firms and the technical reports with which they were associated are provided in Appendix WW.
1.1.4 Function and Structure of the EIS The function of the EIS is to primarily address the Terms of Reference issued by the Coordinator-General, and in so doing a comprehensive assessment of the project, particularly in the context of environmental and economic aspects, has been completed. The EIS demonstrates the suitability of the project in terms of its design, location and effectively and efficiently identifying and mitigating potential impacts. The structure of the EIS is summarised in the following table. Table 1-2: Structure of EIS
Chapter Aspects / Elements of the Chapter Chapter 1 - Introduction > The proponent, Boral Resources (Qld) Pty Limited. > The proponent’s environmental record and operational
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Chapter Aspects / Elements of the Chapter policies. > Description of the project. > Land ownership details. > The project rationale, including the justification for the project. > Project alternatives, particularly in the context of the hard rock resource. > An overview of the public consultation process. > An overview of approvals that will be required in order to facilitate the project. Chapter 2 – Description of the Project > Detailed overview of the project, particularly with respect to the various phases of the project. > General overview of the intended rehabilitation and decommissioning regime to be implemented. Chapter 3 – Planning and Land Use > Overview of the planning framework applicable to the project and the subject site. > Analysis of the relevance and applicability of: South East Queensland Regional Plan; State Planning Policies; and Other State planning documents viewed as potentially being relevant. > Analysis of the 2003 Gold Coast Planning Scheme and other identified Gold Coast City Council documents of potential relevance. > Overview of the land use and tenure of the site and surrounding area. > Analysis of the extent and quality of the hard rock resource on the site. Chapter 4 – Environmental Values and Management of > The chapter includes a detailed analysis of the Impacts following aspects associated with the subject site and / or the project: Climate change; Flood plain management; Scenic amenity / visual impact; Lighting associated with the operation of the project; The topography and geology of the subject site; Flora and fauna associated with the subject site; Aquatic ecology; Surface water, stormwater and groundwater aspects associated with the subject site and project; Air quality, including a discussion on the potential for silica dust; Greenhouse gas emissions; Acoustic aspects associated with the project; Blasting and vibration aspects associated with the project; Waste generation and management; Transport impacts in terms of the existing traffic conditions of the surrounding road network and the expected impact on the network as a result of the project; Indigenous cultural heritage aspects; and
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Chapter Aspects / Elements of the Chapter Non-indigenous cultural heritage aspects. > In all instances with respect to the above aspects, potential impacts are identified and appropriate mitigation measures have been detailed. > An indigenous cultural heritage assessment has been completed, however the document cannot be included in the EIS. > The EIS does include a summary of the findings of the indigenous cultural heritage assessment. > Confirmation that the indigenous cultural heritage assessment has been approved under Part 7 of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 has been included in the EIS. Chapter 5 – Social Values and Management of Impacts > This chapter relates entirely to the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) that has been prepared. Chapter 6 – Economics and Management of Impacts > This chapter relates entirely to the Economic Impact Assessment that has been prepared. > The economic assessment has covered the following elements: Needs analysis; Impact of the project on the local and regional economies; Cost benefit analysis; and Analysis of the impact of the project on surrounding property values. Chapter 7 – Hazard and Risk > The risk assessment identifies risks associated with the project and identifies measures to mitigate and reduce these potential risks. > A bushfire management plan is included along with an emergency management plan. Chapter 8 – Cumulative Impacts > The chapter provides an overview of the cumulative impacts associated with the project. > The cumulative impacts have been determined in the context of other quarry developments in the local area. Chapter 9 – Sustainable Development > The chapter outlines how the project achieves the notion of sustainable development. Chapter 10 – Environmental Management Plan > A draft environmental management plan based on the recommendations of the range of relevant technical reports has been prepared for the EIS. Chapter 11 - Matter of National Environmental Significance > This chapter addresses the identified matters of National environmental significance that have been identified on the subject site. > Potential impacts on these aspects have been identified along with appropriate mitigation measures to adequately address the potential impacts identified. Chapter 12 – Conclusions and Recommendations > Summary of the key points arising from the EIS process and associated recommendations.
It is to be noted that all technical reports associated with the above chapters have been appended as part of the EIS. Furthermore, and where relevant, figures associated with various aspects detailed within the chapters are contained at the end of each chapter. These figures represent a replication of the figures that specifically appear in the relevant technical reports that have been prepared.
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1.2 Project Description The proponent is proposing to establish a new extractive industry operation on a greenfield site bordering Old Coach Rd and Tallebudgera Creek Road, at Reedy Creek on the Gold Coast. Refer to Map 1 in Appendix E. The project is necessary to compensate for the scheduled winding down of Boral’s existing West Burleigh Quarry, which has sufficient reserves for only a further 6.5 to 9 years of production (depending on market conditions). Given the lead times that are involved (in gaining development and environmental approvals; establishing the operation and completing preliminary site works in order to enable full scale production), it has been necessary for Boral to commence the relevant approval processes to ensure that an adequate, uninterrupted and efficient supply of construction materials remains available for critical infrastructure and construction projects in the Gold Coast region. The Gold Coast Quarry will represent an investment of $140-$160million (20121 dollars) by Boral into the economy of the Gold Coast region and is projected to provide continuity of employment for approximately 100 staff across Boral’s integrated quarrying, asphalt, concrete and transport operations. An estimated total of 246 full-time equivalent (FTE) person-years will be directly required for the development and on-site construction of the project. The flow-on benefits of this employment would generate further employment opportunities for the wider Gold Coast region and Queensland, resulting in a total of approximately 480 and 490 full-time equivalent person-years, respectively. Once operational, the proposed Gold Coast Quarry would directly generate 24 FTE positions. The flow-on benefits of this employment would support about 65 FTE positions in Queensland, with 62 positions generated in the Gold Coast. The proposed Gold Coast Quarry would provide a net increase in employment opportunities and help continue quarrying industry jobs within the area once the West Burleigh Quarry resources are exhausted. The proposed Gold Coast Quarry contains the last and largest known deposit of meta-greywacke quarry rock resources on the southern Gold Coast. Meta-greywacke is of extremely high strength and forms the excavated and processed quarry product. The meta-greywacke resource is located within a deposit that is favourably surrounded by ridgelines and has the benefit of having substantial vegetated buffers on land owned by Boral. In developing this proposal, Boral has balanced the need to secure and develop this hard rock resource with the social and environmental factors associated with extractive industry development. After taking into account a range of environmental constraints and providing appropriate separation buffers during the detailed design process for the proposed quarry footprint, it has been estimated that a total of 79 million tonnes of measured, indicated and inferred quarry resources have been delineated on the site (within the optimised pit shell and including the area to be developed for the plant and associated infrastructure). Boral has voluntarily sterilised a significant proportion of the resource which is known to occur on the site in order to achieve an appropriate balance between environmental, economic and community interests. As a result, all works associated with the quarry project will be contained within a defined disturbance footprint which has a total area of 65 hectares. Overall, the disturbance footprint equates to approximately 30% of the total area of Lot 105, with the remaining 70% being left as a vegetated buffer area. The proposed development will operate as a quarry for the extraction and processing of hard rock primarily for use in concrete, asphalt, drainage materials, road base, bricks/blocks, pavers, pipes and landscape supplies. Investigations confirm that the quality and consistency of the resource at the site is of equal or better quality than the meta-greywacke deposit situated at Boral’s existing West Burleigh Quarry, providing an opportunity to completely replace the current quarry operations at Boral’s existing West Burleigh Quarry. The proposed Gold Coast Quarry will supply the Gold Coast region with high grade construction materials for at least of 40 years whilst maintaining continuity of employment across Boral’s integrated quarrying, asphalt, concrete and transport operations. The greenfield site will be fully developed and operated in accordance with recognised industry best practice. Initial development requires the removal of significant overburden over the first few years of site development, including the introduction of mobile crushing plants to develop the site and value the excavated material. Boral estimates that approximately 5-6 million tonnes of materials (all types) will be removed from the site to allow the site infrastructure and fixed plant to be built.
1 Based on the value of the Australian dollar during 2012
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Overall, the proposed Gold Coast Quarry’s processing plants and supporting heavy mobile equipment (HME) will comprise: > Mobile Crushing Plants Proprietary modular trains from recognised (best practice) manufacturers such as Sandvik or Metso. The 3-stage road base train consists of a Primary Jaw, Secondary and Tertiary Cone Crushers complete with screens, conveyors and stockpiling conveyors. The second train (for aggregates production) will be the same or similar to the first and may include a vertical shaft impactor (VSI) to improve aggregate quality for use in higher specification applications. Each train will be targeting to achieve a minimum of 300 tonnes per hour of aggregate or crushed rock materials. The estimated capital cost of each train is $6 million (2012 dollars). > Fixed Plant The plant will be designed as a modern, ‘fit for purpose’ crushing plant which will target the production of aggregates. It is estimated that the production rate will be between 750 - 900 tonnes per hour to achieve an annual production of 2 million tonnes. The estimated cost of the plant is $75 million with a construction timeframe of 18-24 months. > Mobile Fleet There will be two distinct fleets, firstly a development fleet which will service the site development and stripping works, through to load and haul service for the mobile crushing trains. The second fleet will be sized to service the 750-900 tonne per hour fixed plant. Over the course of the establishment and operation of the project, there will be a range of equipment on the site for various periods of time (refer to Table 2-3 in Chapter 2). This equipment includes the following: - Excavators; - Graders; - Drill rigs; - Front-end Loaders; - Bulldozers; - Compactors; - Articulated Dump Trucks; - Water Trucks; - Haulage Trucks; and - Cranes.
1.2.1 The Quarry Process The quarrying process commences with a survey of the rock face and bench to be developed (by drilling and blasting). Laser survey equipment defines the rock mass, and an optimised blast hole pattern is designed, and drilled. As production requirements demand, the drilled “shot” is then charged with bulk explosives, and fired, in accordance with the site blasting model and procedures. Once the rock has been blasted, fragmented rock will be loaded from the pit floor onto haul trucks, whereas any larger rock fragments (“oversize”) will typically be broken by a rock breaker before loading. The load and haul fleet will generally be operated continuously during the operating hours of the quarry, in order to maintain continuity of supply for processing. The primary stage of processing involves the use of a jaw crusher and vibratory screens, with crushed product being held in an interim stockpile called a “surge pile”. From this stage, material will be transferred to several downstream stages of crushing and screening equipment. After processing, the material will be conveyed to individual product stockpiles. The processing plant, including primary and secondary crushers (and screens to separate dust and aggregates) will be located within the plant and infrastructure area, near the individual product stockpiles.
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The quarry materials are then either loaded directly by a front end loader (‘sales loader’) from the stockpiles, or via overhead storage bins at the plant (under typical conditions), to road haulage trucks. The road haulage trucks then proceed across the weighbridge and through the wheel wash before exiting the site to deliver quarry materials to the market. Chapter 2.0 of the EIS provides a more detailed description of the various components of the project.
1.2.2 Stages of Development The site will be developed in a sequence of discrete stages. Each stage will involve a series of phases: Site establishment (‘E’) , development (‘D’), and construction (‘C’) stages (featuring a number of intermediate phases); Quarry operation (‘Q’) stage (featuring a number of phases) associated with the development of the quarry pit itself; and Rehabilitation and decommissioning of the site once the operations have concluded. The timing, and rate of progression through the stages associated with the pit development will be defined by market conditions and demand. It is not appropriate to specify exact timeframes for the development of each respective phase of the project at this early point, but the quarry is expected to have an operational life of at least 40 years. During the construction and site development stage, the proposed Gold Coast Quarry will operate with mobile plant(s), and be replaced with a permanent fixed plant as soon as practicable after the plant site infrastructure area and initial pit have been established (estimated to occur between years 4 and 6 of the approved development). The staging plans for the project, as prepared by Lambert & Rehbein detail how the development of the quarry is intended to progress (refer to Appendix C). Table 1-3 provides a general overview of the works that will be undertaken as part of each phase of the development stage. Table 1-3: Quarry Development Staging
SITE ESTABLISHMENT STAGE PHASE WORKS UNDERTAKEN E1 > The external access road and associated intersection (from Old Coach Road) will be constructed. During this phase, approximately 58,000 tonnes of excess material will be removed. E2 > A portion of the access road, as it enters the site from the intersection constructed as part of Phase E1, will be constructed and sealed (with bitumen). > Earthworks (cut) associated with the development of the internal road network are undertaken, specifically for the construction of: - the internal road that will ultimately link to the plant facility and ROM pads; and - the access and maintenance road extending to the dam. > Temporary weighbridge and wheel wash area will be developed. > The water storage dam embankment wall (requiring around 89,300 tonnes of fill) and associated spillway will be constructed. > Overall, a total of approximately 233,000 tonnes of overburden will be removed from the site as a result of the development of this phase. E3 > The extent of the internal access road created in Phase E2 will be sealed with bitumen. > The temporary weighbridges and wheel wash areas will be removed and replaced by the permanent facilities. > The construction of the facilities pad will be commenced. > The sedimentation pond will be developed. > The temporary buildings associated with the (construction) facilities pad will also be constructed. > Filling works will be completed in an existing gully so as to facilitate the future pad area for the plant equipment.
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SITE ESTABLISHMENT STAGE PHASE WORKS UNDERTAKEN > Overall, a total of approximately 263,000 tonnes of overburden will be removed from the site as a result of the development of this phase. > The extent of filling completed as part of this phase equates to 115,900 tonnes.
DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION STAGE PHASE WORKS UNDERTAKEN D1 > Earthworks associated with the construction of the plant pad will be continuing. These earthworks will be performed in a ‘receding rim’ fashion in order to minimum impacts on nearby sensitive receptors. > By this time, the quarry dam and sedimentation pond will be operational. > Overall, a total of approximately 768,000 tonnes of overburden will be removed from the site as a result of the development of this phase. > Furthermore, approximately 279,000 tonnes of quarry product extracted from the site will be utilised and sold as marketable material. D2 > Earthworks associated with the construction of the plant pad will be continuing. > Overall, a total of approximately 751,000 tonnes of overburden will be removed from the site as a result of the development of this phase. > Furthermore, approximately 559,000 tonnes of quarry product extracted from the site will be utilised and sold as marketable material. D3 > Earthworks associated with the construction of the plant pad will be continuing. > The ROM pad and ROM ramp will be created, and a small amount of fill will be required to develop this area (24,890 tonnes). > Overall, a total of approximately 746,000 tonnes of overburden will be removed from the site as a result of the development of this phase. > Furthermore, approximately 559,000 tonnes of quarry product extracted from the site will be utilised and sold as marketable material. D4 > Earthworks associated with the construction of the plant pad will be completed. > The final floor level for the plant area will be RL 34m AHD. > The final floor level for the ROM pad will be RL 50m AHD. > The stockpile area for the storing of materials will be cleared of its overburden. > The stockpile area rock (suitable for product) will be left in place for processing at a more economic rate once the permanent plant has been established. > Overall, a total of approximately 214,000 tonnes of overburden will be removed from the site as a result of the development of this phase. > Furthermore, approximately 540,000 tonnes of quarry product that can be utilised and sold is extracted. C1 > The construction / erection of the crushing plant will be commenced. > All permanent buildings (e.g. site office, employee facilities, workshop etc.) will be constructed. > Earthworks associated with the removal of overburden are commenced with respect to extending into the area that will ultimately become the quarry pit. C2 > The construction / erection of the crushing plant will be completed. > Earthworks associated with the removal of overburden will be continuing with respect to extending into the area that will ultimately become the quarry pit.
QUARRY OPERATION STAGE PHASE WORKS UNDERTAKEN Q1 > Extractive activities associated with Q1 will be undertaken. > The base levels for Q1 will range between RL 78.0m AHD (western end of the pit area) and RL
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QUARRY OPERATION STAGE PHASE WORKS UNDERTAKEN 66.0m AHD (eastern end of the pit area, adjacent to the ROM pad). Q2 > Extractive activities associated with Q2 will be undertaken. > The base levels for Pit Stage 2 will be RL 54m AHD (eastern end of the pit area, adjacent to the ROM pad). > Rehabilitation of the benches associated with the pit will commence as soon as practicable. Q3 > Extractive activities associated with Q3 will be undertaken. > The base levels for Q3 will be RL 30m AHD (western end of the pit area). > Rehabilitation of the benches associated with the pit will commence as soon as practicable. Q4 > Extractive activities associated with Q 4 will be undertaken. > The base levels for Q4 will be RL 6m AHD (centrally located within the pit area). > Rehabilitation of the benches associated with the pit will commence as soon as practicable. Q5 > Extractive activities associated with Q5 will be undertaken. > The base levels for Q5 will be RL -66m AHD centrally located within the pit area). > Rehabilitation of the benches associated with the pit will commence as soon as practicable.
1.2.3 Land Ownership The land considered in this EIS comprises Lot 105 on SP144215 and Lot 901 on SP907357. Lot 105 on SP144215 is a freehold title that is in the ownership of Boral Resources (QLD) Pty Limited. The current title search for this particular parcel confirms that Lot 105 is not benefitted or burdened by any existing easements. Lot 901 on SP907357 effectively bisects Lot 105. Lot 901 traverses the site generally in a south-east to north- west direction between Tallebudgera Creek Road and Chesterfield Drive and it is a reserve administered by the Council of the City of the Gold Coast as a trustee. The current title search for this parcel also confirms that this allotment is not benefitted or burdened by any existing easements. The project does not rely on Lot 901 on SP907357 for any part of the construction and future operation of the quarry. The EIS demonstrates that the project will be undertaken entirely within the portion of Lot 105 that is situated to the north of Lot 901 on SP907357. Refer to Map 1 in Appendix E.
1.2.4 Major Infrastructure Requirements The proposed development does not require connection to the Council’s trunk water, sewer or stormwater infrastructure systems. The project will be entirely self-sufficient with respect to these aspects. The development will need to connect to the necessary electricity and telecommunication services.
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1.3 Project Rationale The basic rationale for the project can be summarised as follows: > The hard rock resource at the West Burleigh Quarry will be exhausted in the next 6.5 to 9 years, depending on market conditions. > There is a need to establish another suitable quarry to service the southern region of the Gold Coast. > The subject site is annotated in State Planning Policy 2/07 and the SEQRP as being an ‘extractive resource’ area. > Design a quarry that can maintain a sufficient buffer to the surrounding area, whilst ensuring that compliance with regulatory limits can be achieved.
1.3.1 Refinement of the Design Process The design process associated with the project has undergone continual and focussed refinement in order to ensure that potential impacts are minimised. The extent and configuration of the disturbance footprint and the internal design of the quarry that is now proposed represents the outcome of this process. A summary of the process undertaken is as follows: > The disturbance footprint does not encroach on any vegetation species of national significance; > Identified areas of endangered regional ecosystem on Lot 105 will not be cleared. The disturbance footprint was refined to avoid this identified area; > The disturbance footprint was refined in order to provide a separation distance between the quarry and the known nesting tree of a White-bellied Sea Eagle; > The ground levels associated with the run of mine (ROM) pad and processing area were raised in order to reduce the amount of overburden that would be required to be excavated, and compress the development timeline prior to the commissioning of the permanent fixed plant; > The progression of the pit development will be undertaken in a manner that reduces potential external views for the longest period possible. This process that will be adopted is not necessarily the most efficient in pure quarrying terms, but it will achieve an appropriate balance with scenic amenity aspects; > As a result of acoustic modelling, noise bund areas originally proposed have been removed from the final extent of the disturbance footprint, and other treatments adopted; > The access intersection to the site from Old Coach Road is the best location in terms of sight distance and road safety considerations; and > The footprint was refined as a result of technical studies completed for the EIS to ensure that appropriate mitigation measures could be implemented within the subject site. > Overall, all works associated with the quarry project will be undertaken within the defined boundaries of the disturbance footprint. The disturbance footprint has an area of 65 hectares, which equates to approximately 30% of the total site area of Lot 105. The proponent has adopted a design and development methodology that achieves an appropriate balance between the environmental and amenity aspects and the need to feasibly extract a State-significant resource.
1.3.2 Timeline of Events A general timeline of the project to date is summarised as follows: > The proponent purchased Lot 105 in 2006; > An Initial Advice Statement was lodged with the Coordinator-General’s Office in accordance with the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 on 8 December 2009; > The Coordinator-General’s Office determined that the project was a ‘Coordinated Project’ on 19 November 2010;
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> The proponent voluntarily nominated the project a controlled action under the EPBC with the Federal Government on 1 December 2010; > The Federal Government confirmed that the project does constitute a controlled action under the EPBC on 21 December 2010; and > The Coordinator-General issued the Terms of Reference to the project on 22 July 2011. Technical reports have now been prepared in response to the Terms of Reference, with next stages of the process comprising the public advertising of the document and the Coordinator-General’s assessment.
1.3.3 Justification for the Project The project is justifiable for the following reasons: > The proposal reflects a project of State significance that will contribute to the economy of the region; > There is a strong economic need for the project; > The proposal gives effect to State Planning Instruments; > The proposal complies with all regulatory limits, particularly with respect to air quality, acoustics and blasting; > The proposal will maintain environmental values through the retention of the buffer area; > The proposal will not result in significant adverse impacts on the amenity and character of the surrounding area; and > The proposal efficiently and effectively balances the extent of development with the need to retain and enhance existing environmental values. The technical reports appended to the EIS demonstrate the above aspects.
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1.4 Relationship to other Projects The project will have a direct relationship with any development that is undertaken on the Gold Coast, particularly with respect to the southern region of the City. The rock extracted from Lot 105 will be utilised for producing most high specification construction materials including: > Concrete; > Asphalt; > Drainage materials; > Road base; > Rail ballast; > Bricks/blocks; > Pavers; > Pipes; and > Landscape supplies Essentially, the development and construction industry relies on hard rock for the purposes of constructing buildings and undertaking infrastructure projects. Therefore, the proposed quarry development will be of value and benefit to major projects undertaken in the region through the efficient supply of hard rock material.
1.4.1 Co-Location of Proposed or Existing Infrastructure The proposed development will be self-sufficient, particularly in terms of water supply. As a result, Lot 105 will not be connected to the Council’s trunk water, sewage or stormwater infrastructure networks. The project will need to be serviced by electricity. The proponent has initiated discussions with Energex as part of the preliminary design process.
1.4.1.1 West Burleigh Quarry Boral’s existing West Burleigh Quarry is immediately bound by a number of housing estates, an industrial estate and the M1 Pacific Motorway to the south. Boral has operated the West Burleigh Quarry since 1983; however, the site has been operating since 1973. The following infrastructure projects are recent examples of projects supplied by, or being supplied by, Boral’s West Burleigh Quarry. Table 1-4: West Burleigh Quarry supply of materials Total Volume (t) of Quarry Project Boral Supply Stage Materials Varsity Lakes to Robina Completion date December Quarry material 70,000 Rail line – Trackstar 2009 Varsity Lakes interchange Quarry material and asphalt Completion date June 2010 40,000 Mudgeeraba Interchange Quarry material Completion date April 2010 30,000 Nerang South interchange Quarry material and asphalt Completed June 2009 70,000 Coolangatta Airport Quarry material Completed mid 2007 130,000 runway extension Quarry material and Banora Point upgrade Tendered July 2009 500,000 concrete Desalination pipeline 24km Quarry material Completed late 2007 130,000 Desalination Plant Quarry material Completed June 2009 100,000 Merrimac Treatment Plant Quarry material Completed July 2009 40,000
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Total Volume (t) of Quarry Project Boral Supply Stage Materials Pacific H/way upgrade stage 1 Nerang to Varsity Quarry material and asphalt Planning TBA Lake Pacific H/way upgrade Planning and Funding for stage 2 Varsity Lake to Quarry material and asphalt TBA 2013 Stuart Rd Nineteenth Av interchange Quarry material Planning TBA Continuation of Rail line to Planning/Funding for 2014- Quarry material TBA Coolangatta Airport 2015
The existing resource associated with the West Burleigh Quarry is anticipated to be exhausted over the next 6.5 to 9 years, depending on market conditions. The remaining resources are insufficient to adequately cater for the future population and associated infrastructure growth within the region. The West Burleigh Quarry, while identified as a KRA under the SPP 2/07 (KRA 70), is not subject to any other consent permits or development approvals which authorise the further extraction of hard rock beyond the remaining reserves (estimated to be around 10 million tonnes). While it is unknown whether the deposit contains any more exploitable resources, expansion of the quarry pit and the quarry operations is actively and increasingly constrained. The operational life of the West Burleigh quarry may be further reduced by a number of new infrastructure projects, including the M1 Pacific Motorway widening and proposed rail and HV power transmission projects, which have the ability to sterilise significant portions of the consented resource. The proponent has reviewed preliminary designs provided by the Trackstar Alliance Project which indicate that in excess of 30% of the remaining consented reserves at Boral's West Burleigh Quarry are likely to be either sterilised or adversely impacted as a direct result of the likely land resumption requirements. Furthermore, the West Burleigh Quarry is surrounded by transport corridors (M1 Pacific Motorway, the proposed railway line extension) and urban development on all sides, providing minimal buffer areas and separation distances that would be considered inappropriate as part of any proposal to extend the West Burleigh Quarry. The intensification of residential and industrial developments on the site’s northern boundaries effectively prejudices any possible expansion of extractive operations in this direction. Adjacent and nearby land would likely be affected by increased blasting and extraction practices with unacceptable amenity impacts as a consequence. It is estimated that, even if additional (exploitable) resources were identified at the West Burleigh Quarry, the volume of those resources would be too limited to warrant the expenditure that would be necessary to obtain the relevant approvals and extend the existing operation. The increasing imposition of development and operational constraints, along with the prospect of a shortened operational life, at the existing West Burleigh Quarry makes the objective of securing the Gold Coast Quarry (as the only appropriate alternative), critical to the State’s infrastructure programme, the construction and development sector and the Gold Coast region.
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1.5 Project Alternatives The process for extracting and processing the rock on Lot 105 is similar to that used throughout Australia and the world in hard-rock quarrying. That is, in simple terms: > Rock is extracted via the utilisation of explosives (blasting); > Heavy machinery transports the blasted rock to the plant area; > The plant processes the rock, primarily by crushing it into smaller particles; > The processed rock is then classified and transported to the stock pile area within the quarry; and > Loaders load the processed rock into trucks for transport to market. There are no known alternatives to the current practice of extracting and processing hard rock material. Industry best practices will be implemented in order to reduce potential impacts on the surrounding area. Therefore, and in responding to the TOR, project alternatives in the context of the proposed quarry basically relate to whether or not the project proceeds on the subject site. The hard rock resource that has been identified on Lot 105 is known as meta-greywacke and this material, once quarried and crushed, is utilised for the purposes of creating concrete, asphalt, drainage materials, road base, bricks, pavers, pipes and landscape supplies. All of these aspects are critical to the local building and construction industry which will continue to be a major employment and income generator for the region as residential, commercial, retail and major infrastructure projects are constructed. The following industry benchmarks are relevant in order to gauge the quantum of extractive resources required for the construction or major infrastructure and urban development: > 1 kilometre of highway requires 25,000 tonnes of crushed rock; > 1 kilometre of suburban road requires 5,000 tonnes of crushed rock, 750 tonnes of concrete for footpaths, kerbs and gutters, and 450 tonnes of asphalt for road surfacing; > 1 kilometre of railway requires 2,000 tonnes of aggregate; > A high-rise building can use up to 1,000 tonnes of aggregate for floor; and > Construction of a typical house, including driveway and landscaping, utilises approximately 100 tonnes of aggregate. Greywacke is generally viewed as being the most suitable, locally available rock for creating high specification construction materials. In the context of the subject land, the greywacke, when unweathered, has been interpreted as being hard, durable and of high or very high strength. Furthermore, the benefits of greywacke rock compared to other rock are as follows: > It has excellent skid resistance properties, which is good for sealing (therefore making it ideal for road construction); and > It is a consistent and homogeneous rock that is most suitable for quarrying operations.
1.5.1 State Planning Policy 2/07 The State Planning Policy 2/07 – Protection of Extractive Resources nominates seven hard rock Key Resource Areas in Gold Coast City: > Three Key Resource Areas (KRA) are located close to the border of Logan City, with the six quarries operating within these Areas serving the Logan City and Brisbane City markets due to the lack of quality hard rock resources within these Cities: KRA 62 – Blue Rock; KRA 67 – Northern Darlington Range; and KRA 69 – Stapylton; > Two Key Resource Areas are well located to service the northern part of the Gold Coast City, with operating quarries in each: KRA 68 – Oxenford; and KRA 66 – Nerang; and
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> Two Key Resource Areas are well located to service the central and southern parts of the Gold Coast, with two quarries operating in the West Burleigh Resource: KRA 70 – West Burleigh; and KRA 96 – Reedy Creek yet to be developed. The subject site, KRA 96 – Reedy Creek, is the only Key Resource Area on the Gold Coast without an operating quarry. With the Boral quarry at KRA 70 – West Burleigh close to the end of its life, KRA 96 – Reedy Creek is the largest known Greenfield hard rock resource on the central and southern Gold Coast and is strategically located to service the central and southern parts of the Gold Coast. Refer to Chapter 3 for further details in relation to the SPP.
1.5.2 Planning Scheme Identification of Resources The 2003 Gold Coast Planning Scheme includes an Overlay Map (OM23) that details the location of extractive resources in the Gold Coast region. This particular Overlay Map also depicts the expected ‘life’ for each of the quarries identified in the City. It is important to note that Gold Coast City Council has not amended / updated this plan since 2003 when the planning scheme was implemented, and therefore, some of the quarries depicted are no longer operational. Furthermore, the ‘life’ of a quarry is determined in many respects by the market. The development boom in the early to mid-2000s has been tempered in recent years by the global financial crisis whereby new development on the Gold Coast has slowed considerably. The following table is an extract of the information that is contained on Overlay Map 23 with respect to hard rock operations that have been identified: Table 1-5: Overlay Map 23 – Location of Extractive Industry Resources
ID Quarry Name Operator Status Life Community Value 7 Stapylton (Astec) Astec Pty Ltd Operating 10-30 Hard rock quarry, road base 8a Stapylton (CSR) GCCC Not Operating Quarry Abandoned 8b Stapylton (Boral) Boral Resources Operating 10-30 Major aggregate and manufactured sand quarry. 8c Stapylton (Boral) Boral Bricks Operating Clay source for brick making in 8b 8d Stapylton (GCCC) GCCC Not Operating Abandoned quartzite quarry 10a Beenleigh (CSR) CSR Operating 50+ Major quarry, manufactured sand 10b Old Stoney’s Stephens Operating 10-30 Small greywacke quarry 10c Excel Excel Not Operating Large unexploited greywacke resource 10d Wolffdene Pioneer Construction Operating 50+ Major quarry all aggregates, Materials Pty Ltd manufactured sand 10e Ormeau Boral Resources Operating 50+ Major Quarry all aggregates, large reserve 10f Blue Rock Astec Pty Ltd Operating 50+ Major quarry large reserve 12a Oxenford (CSR) CSR Construction Operating <10 Major sand and gravel resource Materials 12b Hart Street Nucrush Pty Ltd Not Operating Sand and gravel processing site 12c Coomera Gorge Jefferson Properties Not Operating <10 Small quartzite quarry 12d Oxenford (Nucrush) Nucrush Pty Ltd Operating 30-50 Major quarry, manufactured sand 12e Charlies Crossing CSR Construction Operating Sand and gravel resource Materials 12f Coomera River Nucrush Pty Ltd Application Sand and gravel resource; not approved / State jurisdiction
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ID Quarry Name Operator Status Life Community Value 13 Upper Coomera Coastline Quarries Operating <10 Quartzite quarry 14 Hymix Hymix Australia Operating Major quarry, all aggregates, manufactured sand 15a West Burleigh (GCCC) GCCC Operating <10 Significant roadbase quarry diminishing resource 15b West Burleigh (M&M) M&M Quarries Operating <10 Fill quarry, nearly exhausted 15c West Burleigh (Boral) Boral Resources Operating <10 Major quarry, all aggregates 17 Canungra LW Centre Fernz Australia Potential Major greywacke resources for Limited Resource long term future
With respect to the above table, as it appears on Overlay Map 23, the following comments are provided (the ID numbers depicted in the table have been utilised for consistency with the comments provided): > 8a, 8b and 12f are to be discounted immediately as they are not operating. > Since the implementation of the 2003 Planning Scheme, 15a and 15b are no longer operational as the resources are exhausted. > 8c, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12e and 13 are not to be considered given that the resource being quarried is not greywacke. On the basis of Section 1.5.3, below, the inclusion of 17 as a future resource could be questionable on the basis of the existing landscape / topography and being able to access the resource. When viewing Overlay Map 23 (refer to Figure 3-9 in Chapter 3), it is clearly evident that at the moment the West Burleigh Quarry is the only source of greywacke to service the southern end of the Gold Coast into the future. In this regard, and based on current trends, it is estimated that the existing resources in the West Burleigh Quarry will be completely exhausted within the next 6.5 to 9 years.
1.5.3 Overview of the Significance of the Resource To further understand the regional importance of the resource that has been identified on the subject land, Mr Warwick Willmott has prepared a paper based on the work he completed in the 1970s in the Gold Coast region while he was employed by the Geological Survey of Queensland in the then Department of Mines (refer to Appendix H). The key statements within Mr Willmott’s paper include: > Virtually all the rock resources of significance to the southern Gold Coast market occur within the geological unit termed the Neranleigh-Fernvale beds. This underlies most of the district between the coast and the high plateaus to the west. > Greywacke is of most significance for the quarrying industry, as it is a hard competent rock that crushes to stable, reasonably equi-dimensional particles. Bands of quartzite have also been quarried, but they produce a more dusty product limited mostly to road pavement gravels, as potential for alkali reactivity limits their use for concrete or bitumen aggregates. Bands of greenstone area only known in the mountainous country to the west, and only one is quarried in the Albert River valley to the north (the Blue Rock quarry). Argillite is unsuitable for quarrying as it produces flaky particles on crushing. > Location of deposits of greywacke that can be usefully quarried requires the identification of sufficiently thick greywacke bands in an otherwise closely interbedded sequence of greywacke are argillite, as only small amounts of argillite can be tolerated in the crushed products. > Enormous volumes of greywacke, in thick bands virtually without any interbedded argillite, exist along the foothills of the Springbrook Plateau, along the western side of the Hinze Dam reservoir below Beechmont Plateau, in the Cunungra Land Warfare Centre, and in the eastern foothills of Tamborine Mountain…. Whilst the reconnaissance surveys noted the presence of this material, with one exception they stated that the workable deposits would be difficult to locate because of steepness of terrain, potential scarring of hillsides, existence of parks and reserves, and difficult transport to markets along narrow rural roads. As such they were considered only of very long term interest.
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> Between the thick greywacke bands on the west and the area where argillite predominates to the east, there is a more mixed sequence of interbedded argillite and greywacke. Within this sequence a zone where greywacke bands are more prominent was identified. This so-called ‘zone of bands’ of greywacke extends in a north-westerly direction from near West Burleigh to Nerang and Coombabah. At the time (i.e. 1970s) greywacke bands were being worked in this zone at West Burleigh (Readymix and Pioneer Quarries), at Gilston (Gernal Quarries) and in quarries near Molendinar and quarrying had ceased at quarries west of Merrimac and north of Nerang (Main Roads Quarry). The Hymix Quarry north of Nerang was established in another band of this zone in 1980. > Still considered of prime importance in 1980 were large greywacke deposits in the hills south of Bonogin Creek south of Mudgeeraba, although it was recognised that an access road other than the rural Bonogin Road would be required. Deposits at Oyster Creek at West Burleigh, and a southern extension of the Hymix band in the Nerang State Forest were also still considered of potential in 1980. > It is unfortunate that this West Burleigh – Coombabah ‘zone of bands’ of greywacke was in the path of the western expansion of the Gold Coast urban area, and that no provision for protection of deposits other than those of existing quarries was made. It contained appreciable resources, was close to areas of demand, and was conveniently placed adjacent to major transport routes. No deposits shown on the original reconnaissance surveys would appear to remain available in this ‘zone of bands’. > The surveys did not delineate any significant greywacke sources west of this zone, until the greywacke in the problematic steep terrain below the western plateaus mentioned above was encountered. Some bands of greywacke undoubtedly exist there, but they are likely to be interbedded with much argillite….. Thus the finding of additional greywacke resources does not simply involve moving further west from existing quarries. The key conclusions detailed in the paper include: > Within the southern Gold Coast area the reconnaissance surveys delineated an important ‘zone of bands’ of greywacke quarry extending north-northwest from West Burleigh to north of Coombabah. This contained several quarries and areas of future potential. However no planning protection was provided for the additional resources in the zone and it would appear that the zone has now been overwhelmed by closer settlement. > No significant deposits of greywacke were delineated immediately to the west of this zone. Some bands of greywacke undoubtedly exist but are likely to be interbedded with unsuitable argillite. Moreover the area is more hilly than that to the east, is serviced only by rural roads, and rural residential settlement was gradually spreading even in 1980. > Very large volumes of greywacke were identified in the foothills of the Springbrook, Beechmont and Tambourine plateaus, but steep and scenic terrain, the existence of parks and reserves, and poor access along narrow rural roads means that they cannot be considered available resources for the foreseeable future. The findings of Mr Willmott’s paper were reflected in a letter from the then Queensland Department of Mines to the former Gold Coast City Council (pre amalgamation) in 1989 with respect to the proposed expansion of operations at the West Burleigh Quarry (refer to Appendix H). The key statements of interest within this letter include: > The Hymix Quarry is already the major supplier in the market area, currently producing in excess of 900,000 tonnes per annum. It would be undesirable for this operation to become the only supplier of crushed aggregates because of the near-monopoly which would result and the rapid depletion of its resource. While other quarries exist in the northern Albert Shire and New South Wales, these would be disadvantaged by the price differential resulting from trucking distances. > In relation to potential deposits as yet unexploited, a deposit of greywacke suitable for the production of crushed aggregates occurs in ridges to the south of the Boral West Burleigh Quarry and south of the Pacific Highway. While part of this deposit is already zoned “Extractive Industry” in the Albert Shire Council Town Planning Scheme, the future utilisation of the resource is extremely conjectural because of uncertainty regarding rock quality and future approval for quarrying.
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> The possibility of securing future quarrying sites in the Gold Coast hinterland is not encouraging. While major deposits are known, most have been alienated by closer settlement by the Albert Shire Council (against the advice of this Department), or are situated in steep scenic terrain such as the Hinze Dam Water Reserve of your Council. While it is not possible to say that further deposits will not be found, bringing them into production will undoubtedly be difficult. In the longer term this leaves the Gold Coast market dependent on more distant sources such as the northern Albert Shire south of Beenleigh, and in New South Wales. On the basis of the above, it is evident that reserves of greywacke rock are not feasibly accessible within the Gold Coast region. By not utilising the resource reserves that have been discovered and can be quarried in a manageable manner means that there will be a greater impact on the community in terms of obtaining materials cost effectively and delivering major projects. This is particularly prevalent given Gold Coast City Council’s recent release of the Draft Gold Coast Transport Strategy 2031 which details a number of major infrastructure projects that are anticipated to be development in the City over the next two decades.
1.5.4 Impact if project does not proceed Since the implementation of the 2003 Gold Coast Planning Scheme, no new quarries have been established in the Gold Coast region. In fact, a number of quarries have since been closed. If the project does not proceed, and once the existing resources associated with the West Burleigh Quarry have been exhausted, there will be no hard rock resources to efficiently service and facilitate urban growth and development in the southern Gold Coast region. As indicated above, much of the known greywacke resources are inaccessible as a result of encroachment by existing development or unsuitable topography. Suitable rock for construction and urban development is a finite resource, and the future closure of existing quarries, without the establishment of new operations, will ultimately result in demand for construction aggregates exceeding the available supply. Therefore, relying on the quarries in the northern portion of the Gold Coast, most of which service development projects in the greater Brisbane region, will impact on the extent of hard rock resource that is available to deliver projects across the southern Gold Coast. The life of these existing quarries could be significantly shortened as a result. The EIS has demonstrated the impact of this scenario in an economic context with monopolies being created which in turn potentially further increases the cost of construction materials for consumers. Relying heavily on only a few existing quarries can accentuate issues in their respective localities as a result of greater vehicle movements etc. Furthermore, providing material to southern Gold Coast projects will not be as cost effective given that material will be required to be transported from the northern Gold Coast, or beyond.
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1.6 The Environmental Impact Assessment Process 1.6.1 Methodology of the EIS The objective of the Environmental Impact Assessment process under State and Commonwealth legislation is to integrate environmental management with planning for projects and establish a process for: > ensuring the proponent assumes primary responsibility for protection of any environmental values that may be affected by their projects; > addressing environmental management through the life of projects; > forming a basis for statutory decisions on whether a project meets ecologically sustainable development principles, and if so, relevant environmental management and monitoring conditions; and > incorporating community and stakeholder views in assessment and decision making processes. An Initial Advice Statement (lAS) was lodged with the Office of the Coordinator-General (OCG) on 8 December 2009. The project was declared to be a 'coordinated project for which an EIS is required' under Section 26 of the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (SDPWO Act) on 19 November 2010. Projects are declared as state significant because of a number of factors including: > potentially significant environmental, economic and/or social impacts; > the need for robust impact environmental assessment; > the need for whole-of-government coordination to ensure effects on all aspects of the environment are considered: natural; social; economic; cultural and built; and > to provide a framework for conducting an EIS that is acceptable to other government agencies. Coordinated projects are: > not a status awarded to project by government; > not an indication of approval or support for the project; and > developments that can be refused by the Coordinator-General. The declaration initiated the statutory environmental impact assessment process of Part 4 of the SDPWO Act, requiring the preparation of this EIS. The Office of the Coordinator-General invited relevant Australian, State and local Government representatives and other relevant authorities to participate in the process as advisory agencies. The project was also referred for consideration under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) on 1 December 2010. The then Federal Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts, determined that the proposed development was a "controlled action" under the provisions of the EPBC Act. The only controlling provision for the project under the EPBC Act related to: > Listed threatened species and communities (Sections 18 and 18A). Following the 'coordinated project' declaration, a draft Terms of Reference (TOR) for an EIS was prepared and made available for public comment for a period of six weeks, commencing on 19 February 2011 and concluding on 1 April. All relevant Commonwealth, State and local Government agencies and authorities were invited to participate in the process as advisory agencies. In finalising the TOR, the Coordinator-General gave regard to all submissions received on the draft. The final TOR was released by the Coordinator-General on 22 July 2011 and is included at Appendix A. After the EIS has been lodged, the public notification period will commence. At the conclusion of the public notification period, the Coordinator-General will assess the EIS in accordance with Section 35 of the SDPWOA. The Coordinator-General will then assess the EIS and provides evaluation report that either
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requests further information or a recommendation of approval with associated conditions. This evaluation will take into account all relevant materials including: > the EIS; > all properly made submissions and other submissions accepted; > any other proffered materials considered relevant; > comments and advice from advisory agencies; > technical reports on specific components of the project; and > legal advice. Once the Coordinator-General’s assessment has been finalised, a decision may be handed down that outlines conditions and direction in the context of future development applications that are required to be lodged. The following flow chart details the EIS process as it is outlined in Part 4 of the SDPWOA: Figure 1-1: Flow Chart 1: EIS Process under Part 4 of the SDPWOA
Initial Advice Statement Declaration of Public and advisory Finalisation of Terms and Request for Coordinated Project by agency review Draft of Reference Declaration Coordinator-General Terms of Reference
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared by proponent
Coordinator-General Evaluation of EIS and Public and advisory EIS submitted to the decision, conditions and any other agency review of the Coordinator-General recommendation on supplementary EIS subsequent approvals information
Preparation of Supplementary EIS (if required)
Preparation and lodgement of a Development Application with the Assessment Manager under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009
1.6.2 Objectives of the EIS The purpose of the EIS is to provide information on the nature and extent of potential environmental, social. cultural and economic impacts (direct and indirect) arising from the construction and operation of the project, and to provide strategies for management of these potential impacts. The EIS process also provides: > for decision-makers and other stakeholders, a basis for understanding the project, the need for the project, the alternatives, the environmental values that it may affect, and the impacts that may occur and the measures to be taken to manage those impacts;
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> assistance and guidance for the detailed engineering phases of the project in avoiding potential impacts where possible and identifying appropriate management measures for unavoidable impacts; > an outline of the effects of the project on the area, including access for groups or persons with rights or interests in the land; > demonstration of how environmental impacts can be managed through the protection and enhancement of environmental values. Through the EIS process, an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) which describes strategies for the management of potential impacts that may occur during establishment, development, construction and operational stages of the project; > a framework against which decision makers can consider the environmental aspects of the project in view of legislative and policy provisions, in order to determine if the project can proceed or not. Also, as appropriate, the government will set conditions of approval to ensure environmentally sound development and, where required by legislation, recommend environmental management and monitoring; and > facilitation for provision of input by stakeholders and decision-makers into the environmental management and monitoring programs. The EIS provides a holistic assessment of the environmental, social, cultural and economic impacts (beneficial and adverse) and demonstrates strategies that may be applied to effectively manage these impacts.
1.6.3 Submissions Public advertising of the EIS will be undertaken for a period of 6 weeks. To reflect the requirements of the TOR and to make best use of new technologies and processes, the community and stakeholder engagement activities during the EIS advertising phase will be based on the following principles: > Maximise opportunities for stakeholders to access EIS documentation > Minimise the complexity of accessing EIS documentation > Provide access to information electronically (i.e. accessible from “the comfort of home”) > Provide access to information 24/7 during the advertising period (i.e. accessible at any time that is most convenient to stakeholders) > Deliver a simple process for stakeholders to seek additional information/clarification on EIS documentation from the relevant EIS consultants > Guarantee the shortest possible timeframe to respond to inquiries, unless the complexity of a question and answer requires a longer response time Written submissions in relation to the Queensland government assessment process and all State Government matters will be received by the Office of the Coordinator General until the date specified by the Coordinator General. Submissions should be forwarded to: Post: The Coordinator-General Attention: EIS Project Manager – Gold Coast Quarry Project Coordinated Project Delivery PO Box 15517 City East Qld 4002 In accordance with Section 37 of the SDPWOA, a properly made submission about the EIS is taken to be a properly made submission about a subsequent development application lodged under SPA. As a result, submitter will have third party appeal rights in the Planning and Environment Court with respect to any subsequent Material Change of Use development application that may be lodged with Gold Coast City Council.
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1.7 Public Consultation Process Consultation with advisory agencies, members of the public and other stakeholders has formed an integral part of the EIS process and will continue to be a fundamental element of the project development. The community consultation process aims to ensure clear, transparent, multilateral communication regarding the project and particularly encourages interested and affected stakeholders to engage with the project development process. The process provides an opportunity for the proponent to impart information to the stakeholders regarding the project, to obtain information from stakeholder groups and to respond to concerns through appropriate actions. Stakeholders are provided the opportunity to engage with the process of the Project's development, to express views and concerns and to provide feedback.
1.7.1 Objectives and Methods The purpose of the community and stakeholder engagement program was to engage stakeholders in informed discussion about what the Project would mean to both the local area and the region as a whole. This required Boral to provide information about the preliminary Project design and potential impacts, and establish a number of opportunities and avenues for stakeholders to participate in consultation. The community engagement objectives were to: > Add value to the study’s decision-making process > Inform stakeholders about the study objectives, drivers, processes and consultation opportunities > Provide easy and accessible ways for stakeholders to participate in the consultation process, and > Inform the EIS Project Team. The study's community engagement is in line with the Queensland Government’s Community Engagement Policy, Principles, Standards and Guidelines. Components of the consultation process included: > community engagement designed to ensure key stakeholders were consulted, and that the community had access to Project information, and an opportunity to provide comment on the Project, and > specific social impact and community awareness programs to ensure the EIS was informed by a broad community understanding of the Project.
1.7.1.1 Integration with EIS To integrate the community engagement activities into the EIS process (i.e. to inform the EIS process), the proponent has: > Published a public report on a Community Information Session held in November 2010, including a summary of issues raised by community members as well as copies of feedback forms submitted by community members (this report was available to the EIS consultants) > Provided updates to the weekly Project Control Group meetings on community and stakeholder engagement outcomes, including stakeholder issues and comments > Delivered two briefings to the EIS consultants, prior to the start of the EIS studies, to summarise stakeholder sentiment and highlight issues identified through the community and stakeholder engagement process > Provided a specific set of briefings and relevant documentation on community issues and sentiment to the Social Impact Assessment consultant prior to the commencement of those studies > Provided regular updates (extracts) from the Consultation Manager database to the Project Control Group to summarise the number of inquiries received, responses provided, information briefings delivered and the issues nominated by stakeholders
1.7.1.2 Strategies The proponent has applied a robust methodology to its community and stakeholder engagement program, designed to:
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> Establish the proponent’s and project’s reputation with key stakeholders; > Identify key stakeholder and community issues relating to the proposal; > Inform key stakeholders and the local community of the project; > Inform the EIS process through an investigation of stakeholder issues and concerns, and > Engage meaningfully and positively with key stakeholders and the community for the duration of the project. The plan was developed ensured that interested parties were provided the opportunity to consider and comment on all elements of the EIS (and TOR). The process of engagement commenced on the day of the announcement that the project had been declared a Significant Project by the Coordinator-General, to ensure relevant parties were informed of the process as early as possible and encouraged to participate. The Community and Stakeholder Engagement Plan included stakeholder briefings, a Community Information Session and multiple avenues for stakeholders to provide comment and feedback. Overall, the adopted engagement program engaged the community by: > attracting approximately 240 community members to the Community Information Session > providing 74 briefings to elected representatives and community and business groups > distributing a total of 1,078 newsletters over five editions > generating 943 letters to elected representatives (local, State and Federal) > generating 64 feedback forms from community members > generating 54 media stories (print and electronic media) The analysis of the 3,811 individual comments made in stakeholder feedback to the project shows there were 947 mentions (24.8%) of general support and 61 mentions (1.6%) of general opposition.
1.7.1.3 Identification of Key Stakeholders The key stakeholders who comprise the community of interest for the project were identified and included: > Individuals directly affected by the project, including adjacent landholders and business people who may be affected by project activities; > Organisations and groups in geographic proximity to the project; > Special interest groups, including environment and heritage; > The Mayor, Councillors and Chief Executive Officer of the Gold Coast City Council; > Relevant State and Federal Government agencies; > State and Federal Members of Parliament relevant to the project (portfolio responsibility) and project area (local MPs); > Relevant industry sectors; > Traditional owners and indigenous groups; and > Media. The list of those who may be directly affected was populated through searching a landholder database which identified all title holders in the project area. Other stakeholders were identified from various sources such as local elected representatives, the internet, local directories and community groups.
1.7.1.4 Community and Stakeholder Engagement Plan The Community and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy that was prepared comprised the following activities: > All-of-government presentations
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> Departmental presentations and forums > Elected member briefings > Key stakeholder focus groups > Feedback mechanisms: 1800 (phone) number, email, post, feedback forms > Newsletters and fact sheets > Website > Community Information Session and report > Presentations to business and community organisations > Delivery of community feedback and comment to the EIS project team > Reporting and evaluation
1.7.1.5 List of Stakeholders Consulted Please note contacts are presented below with the positions they were in at the last point of contact with the project team. Stakeholders who comprise the community of interest for the project include: Table 1-6: List of Stakeholders consulted
Category Stakeholders Project update subscribers As at mid-December 2012, 467 people had subscribed to receive project updates Federal Government Mrs Karen Andrews MP, Federal Member for McPherson Mrs Margaret May, previous Federal Member for McPherson Current State Government Mr Barry Broe, Coordinator General stakeholders Mr Dan Hunt, Acting Director-General, Department of Natural Resources and Mines Mr Michael Hart MP, Member for Burleigh Mr Mick Lord, Director, Office of the Coordinator General Mr Ray Barkmeyer, Senior Project Officer, Office of the Coordinator-General Mr Ray Stevens MP, Member for Mermaid Beach Mr Steve Mill, Assistant Coordinator-General Ms Kadie Scott, Representative from the Hon. Jann Stuckey’s electorate office Ms Lisa Palu, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Premier Ms Susan McDonald, COS to the Minister for Natural Resources and Mines The Hon. Andrew Cripps MP, Minister for Natural Resources and Mines The Hon. Andrew Powell MP, Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection The Hon. Campbell Newman MP, Premier of Queensland The Hon. Jann Stuckey MP, State Member for Currumbin and Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games The Hon. Jeff Seeney MP, Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning The Hon. Ros Bates MP, State Member for Mudgeeraba and Minister for Science, IT, Innovation and the Arts Previous State Government stakeholders (inc. current govt. contacts in previous positions): Dr Mark Robinson MP, then Shadow Minister for Main Roads, Fisheries and Marine Infrastructure Mr Andrew Fraser, then Treasurer and Minister for State Development and Trade Mr Craig Wallace, then Minister for Main Roads Mr Keith Davies, previously Coordinator General Mr Murray Watt, then Parliamentary Secretary for Health
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Category Stakeholders Mr Peter Lawlor, previously Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading Mr Simon Finn, previously Minister for Government Services, Building Industry and Information and Communication Technology
Previous State Government Mr Steven Robertson, then Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and stakeholders Minister for Trade (inc. current govt. contacts in Mr Stirling Hinchliffe, then Minister for Infrastructure and Planning previous positions): Ms Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, then Minister for Transport and Multicultural Affairs Ms Christine Smith, previously State Member for Burleigh Ms Desley Boyle, then Minister for Local Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Ms Kate Jones, then Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Ms Peta-Kaye Croft, then Parliamentary Secretary for Education Ms Rachel Nolan, previously Minister for Transport Ms Sonya Booth, previously Project Manager, Significant Projects Coordination The Hon. Anna Bligh, then Premier of Queensland and Minister for Reconstruction The Hon. Fiona Simpson MP, then Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads The Hon. Jack Dempsey MP, then Shadow Minister for the Environment The Hon. John-Paul Langbroek MP, then Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for the Arts and Multicultural Affairs Mr Joshua Cooney, previously Principal Policy Advisor to the Minister for Environment and Resource Management (then the Hon. Kate Jones MP) The Hon. Lawrence Springborg MP, then Shadow Minister for State Development, Major Projects, Infrastructure and Planning The Hon. Scott Emerson MP, then Shadow Minister for Transport, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Shadow Minister for the Arts The Hon. Tim Nicholls MP, then Shadow Minister for Environment and Economic Development Current Gold Coast City Mr Dale Dickson, CEO, GCCC Council stakeholders: Cr Tom Tate, Mayor, GCCC Cr Donna Gates, Division 1, GCCC Cr William Owen-Jones, Division 2, GCCC Cr Cameron Caldwell, Division 3, GCCC Cr Margaret Grummitt, Division 4, GCCC Cr Tracey Gilmore, Division 5, GCCC Cr Dawn Crichlow OAM, Division 6, GCCC Cr Lex Bell, Division 7, GCCC Cr Robert La Castra, Division 8, GCCC Cr Glenn Tozer, Division 9, GCCC Cr Paul Taylor, Division 10, GCCC Cr Jan Grew, Division 11, GCCC Cr Greg Betts, Division 12, GCCC Cr Daphne McDonald, Division 13, GCCC Cr Chris Robbins, Division 14, GCCC Previous Gold Coast City Mr David Power, GCCC Mayoral Candidate Council stakeholders Mr Tom Tate, GCCC Mayoral Candidate (inc. candidates): Mr Eddy Sarroff, previous Division 10, GCCC Mr Peter Young, previous Division 5, GCCC Mr Ron Clarke MBE, previous Mayor, GCCC Mr Ted Shepherd, previous Division 9, GCCC Other government agencies Mudgeeraba Police
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Category Stakeholders Nerang Police Fire and Rescue Service Business associations Cement Concrete and Aggregates Australia Central Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce Civil Contractors Federation Creek to Creek Chamber of Commerce Gold Coast Catchment Association Gold Coast Combined Chamber of Commerce Housing Industry Association (HIA) Master Builders Queensland Master Concreters' Association of QLD Property Council of Australia UDIA Gold Coast Local Businesses Burleigh West Golf Driving Range GCCC Tallebudgera Transfer Station: Mr Kevin Quantick, Coordinator, Waste Management Infrastructure, GCCC > Mr Matt Fraser, Manager - Waste and Resources Management, GCCC > Mr Steve Cantrill, Coordinator Waste Operations, GCCC Lechaim Pty Ltd (Kingsmore) Stockland Tallebudgera Heritage Cafe Teavine House Businesses - A2Z Enterprises customer/supplier/other Addeco organisations Alders Constructions Ashs Bob Cat Hire Australian Bitumen Services Aussie Rockmen Pty Ltd Axle's Earthmoving Bartmans Landscaping and Garden Supplies Bastemeyers Big Splash Communications BMD Group Gold Coast Boyds Bay Garden World Landscape Supplies Brims Earthmoving Budget Slashing Burleigh Garden Supplies Caltex Reedy Creek South Carter Rytenskild Group (CRG) CB Constructions Civic Construction Group Pty Ltd Civplumb Pty Ltd Currumbin Garden Centre D&S Barclay Pty Ltd Dr Pooh Environmental Solutions Electrical Workshop Australia Enzed Gold Coast Tweed Head Epico Industrial Pty Ltd ESS Engineering Services and Supplies Evolution Traffic Control
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Category Stakeholders Gary Dean Constructions Gold Coast Cranes Pty Ltd Gold Coast MX Club Greens Concrete Construction Hardings Earthmoving ICON JT Environmental Labrador Landscape Supplies MD Cooper Consulting Pty Ltd Miami Landscaping Supplies Pty Ltd Mitchelmore Transport Morrison Geotechnic Pty Ltd MPR Cleaning and Maintenance Services Nyholt Constructions Professionals Burleigh Heads Queensland Air Cleaner Services Repmont Pty Ltd Reynolds Soil Technologies Pty Ltd Rossi Gearmotors Saul's Bearings and Transmission Supplies SEQ Excavations Pty Ltd Shell Currumbin Stenhouse Lifting Equipment Waterama Wayne Hughes Excavations WD Enterprises Local Real Estate Agents First National Burleigh LJ Hooker Burleigh Heads Lowing & Bushe Real Estate Pty Ltd Master Agents Premium Realty Ray White (Burleigh) Real Estate On-Line Gold Coast The Real Estate Environmental Organisations Gold Coast and Hinterland Environment Council (GECKO) Greening Australia Wildcare Australia Media ABC Coast FM Sea FM Gold Coast 92.5 GOLD FM Channel 7 Gold Coast Channel 9 Gold Coast Channel 10 Gold Coast Gold Coast Bulletin Gold Coast Mail Gold Coast Sun/Tweed Sun Schools ABC Tallebudgera (now Goodstart Early Learning) ABC Tallebudgera Central (now Goodstart Early Learning) Gold Coast Christian College
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Category Stakeholders Hillcrest Christian College Ingleside Primary School King's Christian College Red Leaf School of Early Learning St Andrews Lutheran College Tallebudgera Primary School Church Seventh-Day Adventist Church Indigenous Groups Jabree Limited (Native Title holder) Community Groups Talley Valley Versus Boral Stop The Gold Coast Quarry
1.7.1.6 Consultation Activities A range of consultation activities was undertaken to ensure project information was broadly disseminated within the community of interest, with the objective of maximising opportunities for informed feedback on the project. These included: > Community information days; > Letterbox drops; > Media advertising / media releases; > Government / agency / stakeholder briefings; > Launching a project website; and > Newsletters.
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1.8 Project Approvals 1.8.1 Relevant Legislation and Approvals The Gold Coast Quarry project requires approvals across three tiers of government: > Commonwealth Government; > State Government; and > Local Government (Gold Coast City Council). Section 1.1 outlines the Commonwealth Government and State Government Project Approval Process under the EPBC Act and SDPWO Act, respectively.
1.8.1.1 Commonwealth Legislation Key Commonwealth legislation applicable to the Gold Coast Quarry project includes but is not limited to: > Environmental Protection and Biodiversity and Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (“EPBC Act”) > Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (“NT Act”) > Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1994 > Other Commonwealth Obligations applicable to the Gold Coast Quarry project includes but is not limited to: > protection of World Heritage values; > China–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA); > Japan–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA); > Republic of Korea–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (ROKAMBA); > the Convention of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn Convention) biodiversity; > biodiversity; > climate; and > climate wetlands of international importance (Ramsar). The above mentioned other Commonwealth obligations are not relevant, with the exception to the China– Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA). The CAMBA is relevant to due to the fact that the identified White Bellied Sea Eagle is a listed species under this agreement. Compliance with this international agreement is not an issue for the reasons set out in the MNES report prepared as part of compliance with the provisions of the EPBC Act. Table 1-7 provides a broad discussion on the applicability of the listed Commonwealth legislation in the context of the project.
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Table 1-7: Commonwealth Legislation and Approvals Framework Legislation Decision Maker Assessment Scope Relevant Required Approvals / Licences / Timing EIS Location Permits / Agreements Federal Environment The The EPBC Act establishes a Commonwealth Yes In accordance with Part 9 of the Prior to the Chapter 11 Protection and Commonwealth process for assessment of proposed actions EPBC Act, the proponent of the project Biodiversity Minister for that have the potential to have an impact on project will require approval for the proceeding Conservation Department of matters of national environmental taking of a Controlled Action from Act 1999 (Cthw) Sustainability, significance or on Commonwealth land. SEWPaC before it can proceed. Environment, The EPBC Act provides that an action that Water, has, or is likely to have, a significant impact Population and on defined matters of national environmental Communities significant is a controlled action. (SEWPaC) The EPBC Act requires that actions, which have the potential to have an environmental impact on matters of national environmental significance or Commonwealth land, obtain approval from the Commonwealth Minister for the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPaC). The proponent self-nominated the project as a ‘controlled action’ on 01 December 2010. The project was declared as a controlled action on 21 December 2010. The controlling provisions under the EPBC Act that is relevant to the Gold Coast Quarry project was identified as Sections 18 and 18A, namely, listed threatened species and communities. Specifically, Lot 105 is utilised by an EPBC listed migratory bird species that is not identified as being threatened (i.e. the species is not listed as being endangered, vulnerable or new threatened). The controlling actions identified in Sections 18 and 18A of the EPBC Act only relate to threatened species and do not relate to migratory species. Under the EPBC Act, where actions require assessment under State approval
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Legislation Decision Maker Assessment Scope Relevant Required Approvals / Licences / Timing EIS Location Permits / Agreements Federal processes, and where the State approval process is accredited by the Commonwealth Government, a single assessment process may be used for both Commonwealth and State approvals. The Commonwealth Government has accredited the EIS process, administered by the Coordinator-General under the SDPWO Act and a bilateral agreement is in place relating to EIS coordination between the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments. This EIS is designed to meet the impact assessment requirements under both Commonwealth and Queensland legislation. Refer to Chapter 11 of the EIS report for more information about matters of national environmental significance and the controlled action. Native Title Act Attorney- Native Title is the recognition by Australian No There is no requirement for the N/A Chapter 4.10 1993 (Cthw) General’s law that some Indigenous people have rights proponent to prepare an Indigenous Department and interests in their land that come from Land Use Agreement (ILUA) due to their traditional laws and customs. the fact that: Native title rights may include the right of i. the project does not involve Indigenous people to: any Unallocated State Land; > live on the area and > access the area for traditional ii. the disturbance footprint purposes including camping or occurs on freehold land where ceremonial activities any Native Title rights have been extinguished. > visit and protect important places and sites > hunt, fish and gather food or traditional resources including water, wood and ochre > teach law and custom on country (National Native Title Tribunal, 2011). The Native Title Act 1993 which is
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Legislation Decision Maker Assessment Scope Relevant Required Approvals / Licences / Timing EIS Location Permits / Agreements Federal administered by the Australian Government recognises the rights and interests over land and water by Indigenous people in Australia under their traditional laws and customs. The main objectives of the Act are to: 1. provide for the recognition and protection of native title; 2. establish ways in which future dealings affecting native title may 3. proceed and to set standards for these dealings; 4. establish a mechanism for determining claims to native title; and 5. provide for, or permit, the validation of past acts and intermediate acts, invalidated because of the existence of native title. Aboriginal and Attorney- The purpose of the Aboriginal and Torres No No approvals are required. Cultural Chapter 4.10 Torres Strait General’s Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 Please note that a Cultural Heritage Heritage Islander Department is to preserve and protect places, areas and Management Plan for this project Management Heritage objects in Australia and in Australian water has been prepared in accordance Plan is Protection Act that are of particular significance to with the provisions of the Aboriginal approved. 1984 (Cthw) Aboriginals in accordance with Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (Qld). tradition from injury or desecration. This Act has been created to cover situations that may not be covered under State or Territory legislation.
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1.8.1.2 Queensland State Government Legislation The State legislation applicable to the Gold Coast Quarry includes but is not limited to: Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (Qld) (“ACH Act”) Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act 2001 (Qld) (“DGSM Act”) Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Qld) (“EP Act”) Environmental Protection (Air) Policy 2008 (“EPP Air”) Environnemental Protection (Noise) Policy 2008 (“EPP Noise”) Environmental Protection (Waste Management) Policy 2008 (“EPP Waste”) Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2008 (“EPP Water”) Explosives Act 1999 (Qld) Fisheries Act 1994 (Qld) Land Act 1994 (Qld) Local Government Act 2009 (Qld) (“LG Act”) Mineral Resources Act 1989 (Qld) (“MR Act”) Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Qld) (“NC Act”) Queensland Heritage Act 1992 (Qld) (“QH Act”) State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (Qld) (“SDPWO Act”) Sustainable Planning Act 2009 (Qld) (“SP Act”) Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 (Qld) (“TI Act”) Transport Planning and Coordination Act 1994 (Qld) (“TPC Act”) Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 (Qld) “TO Act”) Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld) (“VM Act”) Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995 (Qld) (“CPM Act”) Water Act 2000 (Qld) Table 1-8 provides a broad discussion on the applicability of the listed State legislation in the context of the project.
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Table 1-8: State Legislation and Approvals Framework
Legislation Decision Maker Assessment Scope Relevant Required Approvals / Licences Timing EIS Location / Permits / Agreements State Aboriginal Department of The main purpose of the Aboriginal Yes For projects requiring an EIS, it is Competed. Chapter 4.10 Cultural Natural Cultural Heritage Act 2003 is to provide mandatory to prepare a Cultural Heritage Act Resource and for effective recognition, protection and Heritage Management Plan 2003 (Qld) Mines (DNRM) conservation of Aboriginal cultural (CHMP). (“ACH Act”) heritage. This is achieved through establishing a ‘cultural heritage duty of Both the proponent and the care’2, which requires that any person relevant Indigenous Group have who carries out an activity must take all agreed to the content within the reasonable and practicable measures to CHMP for this project. This ensure the activity does not harm document was signed on 13 Aboriginal cultural heritage. November 2012. The Act establishes a framework for the conduct of assessment of cultural heritage impact and processes to be undertaken in preparing Cultural Heritage Management Plans. Dangerous From the 1 January 2012, the No N/A N/A N/A Goods Safety Queensland Work Health and Safety Act Management 2011 (the WHS Act) will regulate Act 2001 (Qld) dangerous goods and major hazard (“DGSM Act”) facilities. The DGSM Act has been repealed. Work Health and Department of The WHS Act provides a framework to Yes Boral as an organisation have When the quarry N/A Safety Act 2011 Justice and protect the health, safety and welfare of various operational guidelines, becomes (Qld) (“WHS Attorney- all workers at work. It also protects the training and general workplace operational. Act”) General health and safety of all other people who management practices that might be affected by the work. comply with the requirements of All workers are protected by the WHS the WHS Act. The operation of Act and this includes employees, the Gold Coast Quarry will contractors, subcontractors, outworkers, employ Boral’s established apprentices and trainees, work management practices. experience students, volunteers and employers who perform work. The WHS Act also provides protection for the
2 Section 23(1) of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 Page 34 Gold Coast Quarry
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Legislation Decision Maker Assessment Scope Relevant Required Approvals / Licences Timing EIS Location / Permits / Agreements State general public so that their health and safety is not placed at risk by work activities. The WHS Act places the primary health and safety duty on a person conducting a business or undertaking, who must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers at the workplace. Environmental Department of The purpose of the EP Act is to “protect Yes Approvals under the EP Act that The approvals Chapter 1.8.3 Protection Act Environment Queensland’s environment while are likely to be required are as required under 1994 (Qld) (“EP and Heritage allowing for development that improves follows: the EP Act Act”) Protection the total quality of life, both now and in > ERA 16(2)(d) – Extracting, would be sought (DEHP) the future, in a way that maintains the other than by dredging, in a at the same time ecological processes on which life year, more than 1,000,000 the development depends (ecologically sustainable tonnes of material; application is development)”. lodged with Gold > ERA 16(3)(c) – Screening, Coast City The EP Act is based on an obligation for in a year, more than persons to comply with the “general Council. 3 1,000,000 tonnes of environmental duty” , which means that material; a person cannot “carry out any activity > ERA 63(2)(a)(ii) – operating that causes, or is likely to cause, sewage treatment works, environmental harm unless the person other than no-release works, takes all reasonable and practicable with a total daily peak measures to prevent or minimise the design of 21-100EP and the harm”. treated effluent is Environmental harm is defined as “any discharged from the works adverse effect, or potential adverse to an infiltration trench or effect (whether temporary or permanent through an irrigation and of whatever magnitude, duration or scheme. frequency) on an environmental value, and includes environmental nuisance”. Under the EP Act, assessment and approval is required for: > mining activities; > petroleum, greenhouse gas storage
3 Section 319 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 Page 35 Gold Coast Quarry
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Legislation Decision Maker Assessment Scope Relevant Required Approvals / Licences Timing EIS Location / Permits / Agreements State and geothermal energy production activities; > activities that may cause actual or potential environmental harm via the generation of emissions or otherwise through carrying out the activity (environmentally relevant activities); and > movement of soil from land on the Contaminated Land Register to another parcel of land. Environmental Protection Policies (EPPs): Environmental Protection Policies (EPPs) nominate criteria which developments must adhere to with the intent of protecting the environment. EPPs describe how objectives of the EP Act are met through environmental quality standards, emissions standards as well as monitoring procedures and requirements. EPPs are legally enforceable4. Environmental Department of The purpose of this EPP is to achieve Yes EPP (Air) provides a policy Appropriate Chapter 4.5 Protection (Air) Environment the objectives of the EP Act in relation to framework for the determination conditions under Policy 2008 and Heritage Queensland's air environment. The of appropriate conditions for this EPP would Protection management hierarchy for an activity development permits for material be imposed at (DEHP) involving air emissions: change of use for ERAs. the same time > Firstly – avoid; the development application is > Secondly – recycle; lodged with Gold > Thirdly – minimise; and Coast City > Fourthly – manage. Council. Schedule 1, Section 8 of the EPP (Air) details the air quality objectives for enhancing or protecting environmental values which include health and wellbeing, health and biodiversity of ecosystems, protecting aesthetics and agriculture. An air quality assessment has been carried out and is provided in Chapter 4.5 of the EIS.
4 Section 25(3) of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 Page 36 Gold Coast Quarry
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Legislation Decision Maker Assessment Scope Relevant Required Approvals / Licences Timing EIS Location / Permits / Agreements State Environmental Department of The purpose of this EPP is to achieve Yes EPP (Noise) provides a policy Appropriate Chapter 4.7 Protection Environment the objectives of the EP Act in relation to framework for the determination conditions under (Noise) Policy and Heritage the acoustic environment. of appropriate conditions for this EPP would 2008 Protection Section 7 of the EPP (Noise) identifies development permits for material be imposed at (DEHP) the following environmental values for change of use for ERAs. the same time the acoustic environment: the development application is > the qualities of the acoustic lodged with Gold environment that are conducive to Coast City protecting the health and Council. biodiversity of ecosystems; > the qualities of the acoustic environment that are conducive to human health and wellbeing, including by ensuring a suitable acoustic environment for individuals to do any of the following – sleep, study or learn, be involved in recreation, including relaxation and conversation > the qualities of the acoustic environment that are conducive to protecting the amenity of the community. The management hierarchy for noise is to : 1. Firstly – avoid; and 2. Secondly – minimise, in the following order of preference: orientate an activity to minimise noise; use best available technology; manage. Schedule 1 of the EPP (Noise) details the acoustic quality objectives for sensitive receptors.
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Legislation Decision Maker Assessment Scope Relevant Required Approvals / Licences Timing EIS Location / Permits / Agreements State An acoustic assessment has been carried out and is provided in Chapter 4.7 of the EIS. Environmental Department of The purpose of this EPP is to achieve Yes EPP (Water) provides a policy Appropriate Chapter 4.4 Protection Environment the objectives of the EP Act in relation to framework for the determination conditions under (Water) Policy and Heritage Queensland waters. of appropriate conditions for this EPP would 2009 Protection In relation to private sector development development permits for material be imposed at (DEHP) activities this purpose is to be achieved change of use for ERAs. the same time within a framework that encapsulates the the development following: application is lodged with Gold > identifying environmental values Coast City (EVs) for aquatic ecosystems and Council. for human uses (e.g. Water for drinking, farm supply, agriculture, industry and recreational use) > determining water quality guidelines (WQGs) and water quality objectives (WQO)to enhance or protect the environmental values Environmental values and water quality objectives for waters in Queensland are specified in Schedule 1 of the EPP (Water). The environmental values and water quality objectives for all tributaries of Currumbin and Tallebudgera Creeks have been identified and contained in the Currumbin and Tallebudgera Creeks Environmental Values and Water Quality Objectives, published by the department in March 2007. A hydrological assessment has been carried out and is provided in Chapter 4.8 of the EIS. Environmental Department of The purpose of this EPP is to achieve No No approval required – No ERA N/A Chapter 4.8 Protection Environment the objectives of the EP Act in relation to required (Waste and Heritage regulated waste. Management) Protection Page 38 Gold Coast Quarry
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Legislation Decision Maker Assessment Scope Relevant Required Approvals / Licences Timing EIS Location / Permits / Agreements State Policy 2000 (DEHP)
Explosives Act Department of The Explosive Act is about the No The proponent will engage a N/A N/A 1999 (Qld) Natural management and handling of certified explosive consultant to (“Explosive Act”) Resource and explosives. undertake the required blasts Mines (DNRM) when required. Fisheries Act Department of The main purpose of the Fisheries Act is No This project does not involve the N/A Chapter 4.3 1994 (“Fisheries Agriculture, to provide for the use, conservation and removal, destruction or damage Act”) Fisheries and enhancement of the community’s of marine plants and as such no Forestry (DAFF) fisheries resources and fish habitats in a approvals under this legislation is way that seeks to apply and balance the required. principles of ecologically sustainable development; and promote ecologically sustainable development. The principal aspects of the proposed development which are likely to be affected by this legislation are development of the marina and its precinct in the inter-tidal areas, any dredging of channels for navigation and for the removal of “marine plants” from dunes and inter-tidal areas which may be necessary to construct infrastructure. Works affecting marine plants are controlled under the Fisheries Act and by the DERM under the Coastal Protection & Management Act. Development assessments in coastal areas are largely governed by the following policies and guidelines: > FHMOP 001 (2002) Management and Protection of Marine Plants; > FHMOP 004 (1998) Dredging, Extraction and Soil Disposal Activities; > FHMOP 005 (2002) Mitigation and Compensation for Works or Activities Causing Marine Fish Page 39 Gold Coast Quarry
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Legislation Decision Maker Assessment Scope Relevant Required Approvals / Licences Timing EIS Location / Permits / Agreements State Habitat Loss; > FHG 002 Restoration of Fish Habitats; and > FHG 003 Fish Habitat Buffer Zones. Land Act 1994 Department of The Land Act 1994 deals with land No In terms of Lot 105, it is noted N/A N/A Natural tenure the allocation of unallocated State that the land holding does not Resource and land, including through the granting of contain any parcels of State- Mines (DNRM) leases. owned land, no approvals or The main objective of this Act is for land agreements are required to be to be managed for the benefit of the obtained under the Land Act. people of Queensland on the basis of With respect to Lot 901, it is a the following seven principles: Council reserve, although it is not sustainability, evaluation, development, relied upon for the project. community purpose, protection, consultation and administration. Local Chief Executive To improve governance within local Yes Approvals under the following Prior to the N/A Government Act of Gold Coast authorities, the Local Government Act Gold Coast City Council Local proposed quarry 2009 (“LG Act”) City Council 2009 gives Gold Coast City Council the laws may be required: becoming authority to make and enforce local laws. > Local Law No. 6 (Vegetation operational. Local laws provides a framework for the Management) management of various local > Local Law No. 8 (Public governance issues such as roads, Health, Safety and Amenity) business advertising and vegetation management. > Local Law No. 11 (Roads and Malls) > Local Law No. 15 (On-site Sewerage Facility) > Subordinate Local Law No. 15.1 (On-site Sewerage Facility) > Local Law No 16. (Licensing) > Subordinate Local Law No. 16.8 (Advertisement) Mineral Department of The MR Act provides the legislative No Pursuant to Section 6(3)(d)(i) of N/A N/A Resources Act Natural framework for the assessment, the MR Act, the extraction of 1989 (Qld) (“MR Resource and development and utilisation of mineral hard rock quarry material is not Page 40 Gold Coast Quarry
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Legislation Decision Maker Assessment Scope Relevant Required Approvals / Licences Timing EIS Location / Permits / Agreements State Act”) Mines (DNRM) resources to the maximum extent deemed to be a mineral resource practicable consistent with sound and therefore no approvals are economic and land use management required to be obtained under principles. this Act. This legislation may be affected by the Environmental Protection (Greentape Reduction) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2012. Nature Department of The NC Act was developed as a piece of Yes Approval / licenses for the Prior to the Chapter 4.3 Conservation Environment legislation to conserve nature and is following activities may be proposed quarry Act 1992 (Qld) and Heritage administered by the Environmental required for: becoming (“NC Act”) (DEHP) Protection Agency. The Nature > Relocation of protected operational. Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006 animals under the NC Act; identifies threatened species and classifies them into different categories > Clearing of protected plants defined in the Act. Under this Act a under the NC Act; and licence or permit is required for specific > Clearing of Least Concern works in protected areas or that may vegetation. affect protected species. Queensland’s NC Act includes sections pertaining to the protection of wildlife and habitat conservation. The Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006 (NCWR) lists wildlife (including plants and animals) protected under the NC Act that are defined as: > Extinct in the wild wildlife; > Endangered wildlife; > Vulnerable wildlife; > Rare wildlife; > Least concern wildlife; > International wildlife; and > Prohibited wildlife. The Nature Conservation Act 1992 is relevant to the project if any species listed as Endangered, Vulnerable or Rare under the NCWR occur or are
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Legislation Decision Maker Assessment Scope Relevant Required Approvals / Licences Timing EIS Location / Permits / Agreements State likely to occur within the project area. Queensland Department of The Queensland Heritage Act 1992 No N/A Chapter 4.11 Heritage Act Environment provides for the conservation of 1992(Qld) (“QH and Heritage Queensland’s non-aboriginal cultural Act”) Protection heritage by protecting all places and (DEHP) areas on the Queensland Heritage Register. The disturbance footprint will not have an impact on any properties listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. State Department of Under the SDPWO Act, declaration as a Yes Under the SDPWO Act, the EIS Chapter 1 Development State “coordinated project” provides for the will be endorsed by the and Public Development, coordinated assessment of the project Coordinator-General by way of Works Infrastructure by the Coordinator-General. an Evaluation Report. Organisation Act and Planning The purpose of the State Development Section 37 of the SDPWO Act 1971 (Qld) and Public Works Organisation Act in specifically states that an EIS (“SDPWO Act”) regard to the project is to administer the such as this one can be “taken State Government assessment of the as fulfilling requirements under EIS. the information and referral stage Refer to Chapter 1 of the EIS for further and notification stage of IDAS” discussion. (Integrated Development Assessment System) for relevant approvals under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009. Sustainable Department of The Sustainable Planning Act 2009 Yes Once the EIS is approved by the Once the EIS is Chapter 3 Planning Act State (SPA) provides the overall planning State Government, a approved. 2009 (Qld) (“SP Development, framework for Queensland. development application for a Act”) Infrastructure The purpose of SPA is to seek to Material Change of Use will be and Planning achieve ecological sustainability by: lodged with Gold Coast City Council for their approval. This > Managing the process by which development application will be Gold Coast City development takes place, including lodged with copies of the EIS Council ensuring the process is and the CG’s report. accountable, effective and efficient and delivers sustainable outcomes; Aspects of the project that and require Operational Works approvals under the Vegetation > Managing the effects of Management Act 1999, development on the environment, Environmental Protection Act Page 42 Gold Coast Quarry
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Legislation Decision Maker Assessment Scope Relevant Required Approvals / Licences Timing EIS Location / Permits / Agreements State including managing the use of 1994 and Water Act 2000 will be premises. administered under SPA. > The SP Act provides the legislative The individual assessment framework for development triggers under the SP Act, assessment, through the Integrated associated with the project, are Development Assessment System described as follows: (IDAS) and the assessment of > Material Change of Use for applications triggered under a Extractive Industry which is number of other Acts, including the made assessable under the VM Act and the Water Act. The 2003 Gold Coast Planning project as a whole triggers various Scheme; aspects of the SP Act and the IDAS, depending on the activity and > Material Change of Use that location. involves operational works for clearing of assessable native vegetation; > Material Change of Use for the establishment of Environmentally Relevant Activities (ERAs); > Riverine Protection Permit (if required); > Operational works (Change to Ground Level); > Operational Works (Works for Infrastructure); > Operational Works (Vegetation Clearing); > Operational Works (Landscape); > Plumbing and Drainage Works; and > Building works. Transport Department of The main objective of the TI Act is to Potentially It is anticipated that the proposed If conditioned, Chapter 4.9 Infrastructure Transport and allow the Government to have a development will not require any works are to be Act 1994 (Qld) Main Roads strategic overview of the provision and works to be undertaken to the completed prior (“TI Act”) (DTMR) operation of transport (air, land and State Controlled Road Network. to the proposed water) infrastructure. However, works to the State quarry becoming Page 43 Gold Coast Quarry
Environmental Impact Statement
Legislation Decision Maker Assessment Scope Relevant Required Approvals / Licences Timing EIS Location / Permits / Agreements State Controlled Network could be operational. conditioned as part of the approval. Transport Department of The TPC Act deals with the planning and Potentially The proposed development may If conditioned, Chapter 4.9 Planning and Transport and coordination of transport, and other be required to undertake works works are to be Coordination Act Main Roads matters for which the Minister is with respect to the State completed prior 1994 (Qld) (DTMR) responsible. Controlled Road Network (for to the proposed (“TPC Act”) example upgrading quarry becoming intersections). However, works operational. to the State Controlled Network could be conditioned as part of the approval. Transport Department of The TO Act deals with road Potentially It is anticipated that the proposed If conditioned, Chapter 4.9 Operations Transport and management and other purposes related development will not require any works are to be (Road Use Main Roads to transport. works to be undertaken to the completed prior Management) (DTMR) State Controlled Road Network. to the proposed Act 1995 (Qld) However, works to the State quarry becoming (“TO Act”) Controlled Network could be operational. conditioned as part of the approval. Vegetation Department of The VM Act, in conjunction with the SP Yes The majority of the site enjoys The approval Chapter 4.3 and Management Natural Act, regulates the clearing of native the benefit of a PMAV that was required under Chapter 3 Act 1999 (Qld) Resource and vegetation, excluding grasses and approved by DNRM on 4 March the VM Act (“VM Act”) Mines (DNRM) mangroves. Under the SP Act, 2009. The approved PMAV for would be sought Vegetation operational work that is the clearing of the landholding identifies that the at the same time Management native vegetation is to be assessed majority of the vegetation falls the development (Regrowth against the purposes of the VM Act. within Category X designation. application is Moratorium) Act Therefore all remnant vegetation However there is a small portion lodged with Gold 2009 (including Endangered, Of Concern and of ‘Of Least Concern’ remnant Coast City Least Concern Regional Ecosystems) vegetation. It is also noted that Council. and all native vegetation on State land the regional ecosystem and regardless of conservation status is remnant vegetation mapping also protected. Clearing of such vegetation details remnant vegetation requires a development permit under the containing endangered regional SPA and if clearing of Endangered or Of ecosystems on the site. Concern RE, the provision of vegetation In relation to the Category X offsets may also be required in line with designation, pursuant to Department and State policies. Schedule 24, Part 2, Item 2 of
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Legislation Decision Maker Assessment Scope Relevant Required Approvals / Licences Timing EIS Location / Permits / Agreements State Under this Act, clearing certain regrowth the Sustainable Planning affected by the moratorium (which Regulation 2009, clearing of includes endangered regrowth in rural native vegetation is not deemed areas on State leasehold land) requires to be assessable under Schedule approval from DERM. 3, Part 1, Table 4, Item 1 of the The Gold Coast Quarry project involves Sustainable Planning Regulation the clearing of vegetation. 2009. Consequently, the clearing of the native vegetation is exempt under the provisions of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 and no approval is required under the VM Act for the clearing of the Category X designation under the PMAV. In relation to the remaining remnant vegetation, no exemptions under Schedule 24 of the Sustainable Planning Regulation 2009 are applicable and therefore the clearing of this native vegetation would be viewed as assessable Schedule 3, Part 1, Table 4, Item 1 of the Sustainable Planning Regulation 2009. Consequently, the clearing of this portion remnant vegetation is the only trigger for an approval under the VM Act. Coastal Department of The principal objectives of the Coastal No Despite an artificial water body N/A Chapter 3 Protection and Environment Protection and Management Act 1995 (dam) being constructed as part Management and Heritage are the protection, conservation, of this project, an approval under Act 1995 (Qld) Protection rehabilitation and management of the this Act is not required because (“CPM Act”) (DEHP) state’s coastal resources and the landholding is located outside biodiversity by the provision, in the Coastal Management District. conjunction with other legislation, of a coordinated and integrated management and administrative framework for the
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Legislation Decision Maker Assessment Scope Relevant Required Approvals / Licences Timing EIS Location / Permits / Agreements State ecologically sustainable development of the coastal zone. Section 8 of the Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995 defines what is deemed to be an artificial waterway. An artificial waterway means an artificial channel, lake or other body of water. However an artificial waterway does not include the following: (a) a swimming pool; (b) an ornamental pond of no more than 5000m2 in area; (c) a pond— (i) for aquaculture; or (ii) for treating effluent; (d) a freshwater storage reservoir for domestic water supply; (e) a water storage facility— (i) situated on a natural watercourse; and (ii) used for irrigation or other agricultural purposes; (f) a part of a river, creek or stream in which water flows in a natural channel, whether artificially improved or not; (g) a drain for carrying stormwater or other material; (h) any of the following used for accessing port infrastructure if constructed in the area of a port for which a port authority or port operator is responsible— (i) a navigation channel; (ii) a harbour swing basin;
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Legislation Decision Maker Assessment Scope Relevant Required Approvals / Licences Timing EIS Location / Permits / Agreements State (iii) a berth pocket; (iv) a berth approach or departure path. Water Act 2000 Department of The Water Act was introduced to Yes There are two (2) defined Prior to when Chapter 4.3 (Qld) (“Water Environment manage water resources within watercourses within Lot 105. the quarry Act”) and Heritage Queensland. This was undertaken by Given that the defined becomes Protection establishing a system for the planning, watercourses are not tidal, it is operational. (DEHP) allocation and use of water and also understood that the bed and details a regulatory framework for the banks remains within the water industry. Improving the physical ownership of Boral, but the water integrity of watercourses is a main is owned by the State. purpose of this Act. Works such as scour protection Water licences are required for taking or and bank rehabilitation may be interfering with water. Under Section 204 required within the defined of the Water Act, water licences may be watercourses. Therefore granted authorising either the taking and depending on the nature and interfering with the flow of water in a extent of works, the following watercourse, lake or spring, such as by approvals and permits may be building infrastructure, or for the taking required: of water. > Resource Entitlement if any The Water Act also provides for riverine proposed works are deemed protection permits. Activities involving to be taking or interfering the destruction of vegetation or placing with a water resource; and fill or excavating in a watercourse > Riverine Protection Permit if require a riverine protection permit any of the proposed works unless an exemption applies. involves destroying The Gold Coast Water Resources Plan vegetation, excavating or is applicable to the project; however it is placing fill within the not relevant in the assessment of the watercourse. proposed development. There may also be a requirement to obtain the relevant license with respect to potentially interfering with overland flow. Building Act Chief Executive The Building Act regulates building Yes All aspects of the project that Prior to when N/A 1975 (Qld) of Gold Coast development approvals, building work, constitute building works. This the quarry (“Building Act”) City Council building classification, building certifiers would include: becomes and pool safety inspectors, and to > Workshop; operational provide for particular matters about Page 47 Gold Coast Quarry
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Legislation Decision Maker Assessment Scope Relevant Required Approvals / Licences Timing EIS Location / Permits / Agreements State swimming pool safety and the > Weighbridge / Despatch construction of sustainable buildings. Office > Office, QA lab and staff amenity buildings; and > Plant.
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1.8.2 Relevant Plans Table 1-9 outlines the existing national, state, regional and local planning documents (other than legislation which has been addressed in Section 1.8.1) that are applicable to the assessment of the proposed Gold Coast Quarry project and have the potential to influence land uses and land designations. It is noted that some aspects listed in the table below are addressed in detail in other parts of this report. Table 1-9: Overview of Planning Framework
Level Applicable Planning Documents EIS Chapter National There are no documents in the national context that guide / dictate development Not Applicable on Lot 105. State State Planning Policies (SPPs) Chapter 3 State Planning Policies are State Planning Instruments and therefore, the and Appendix P aspects covered by an SPP represent a State Interest. State Planning Regulatory Provisions (SPRPs) Chapter 3 State Planning Regulatory Provisions affect the operation of a planning scheme. and Appendix P They provide a single overarching planning instrument that can be applied in a range of circumstances, with the ability to regulate and prohibit development. South East Queensland Regional Plan (SEQRP) Chapter 3 The South East Queensland Regional Plan represents a State interest that must and Appendix P be appropriately reflected in a local authority’s planning scheme. The SEQRP seeks to guide growth and development in the South East Queensland region to 2031. The policies and provisions within the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 are largely focussed upon development of a scale and nature that is significant to the planning, development and growth for the region. Local 2003 Gold Coast Planning Scheme (the ‘planning scheme’) Chapter 3 The 2003 Gold Coast Planning Scheme version 1.2 (amended November 2011) and Appendix P (the ‘planning scheme’) is the current town planning document that guides development within the City. This particular version of the planning scheme was adopted by Gold Coast City Council on 24 October 2011 and formally commenced on 14 November 2011. The planning scheme includes the following components that have been addressed as part of the EIS: > Desired Environmental Outcomes (DEOs) > Land Use Themes and Planning Strategies > Domains (including Structure Plans > Specific Development Codes > Constraint Codes (associated with Overlay Maps
As demonstrated in the above table, Chapter 3 includes as overview and analysis as necessary for each of the above mentioned instruments that comprise the planning framework in Queensland. The Town Planning Assessment Report also provides an overview as to how the above documents inter-relate in the context of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 and the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (refer to Appendix P). The TOR also includes other planning documents that need to be considered, but don’t have a direct impact upon land zonings / designations or the appropriateness of land uses. Chapter 3 contains the appropriate analysis of these other planning documents as required. Overall, the analysis of the above described documentation reveals that there is a conflict between State and local planning instruments. In the SEQRP and SPP 2/07, Lot 105 is identified as being an extractive resource area, whilst the planning scheme plans for residential development as the most appropriate land use for Lot 105. It is evident that the planning scheme is inconsistent with both the SEQRP and SPP2/07 with respect to Lot 105. Gold Coast City Council has not appropriately reflected State interests in the planning scheme.
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Environmental Impact Statement
1.8.3 Environmentally Relevant Activities The Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act) is primarily concerned with environmental pollution, and has been developed to protect Queensland’s environment, while allowing for ecologically sustainable development. The EP Act gives the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (DEHP) the power to regulate ‘Environmentally Relevant Activities’ (ERAs), which are activities that have been identified as having the potential to cause environmental harm. Given the extent of documentation that has been prepared in response to the aspects raised in Section 4 of the Terms of Reference, it is viewed that this particular Section is the most appropriate for dealing specifically It is anticipated that applications will be made for at least the following ERAs prescribed under the Environmental Protection Regulation 2008: > 16. Extractive and screening activities: - 2(d) Extracting rock or other material: >1 million t/yr; and - 3(c) Screening rock or other material: >1 million t/yr; > 63. Sewage Treatment - 2(a)(ii) operating sewage treatment works, other than no-release works, with a total daily peak design of 21-100EP and the treated effluent is discharged from the works to an infiltration trench or through an irrigation scheme. When reviewing the Environmental Protection Regulation 2008, it is clear that there are other ERAs that could be associated with the proposed development of Lot 105. The following table provides an explanation for the discounting of these particular ERAs in the context of the project and future applications. Table 1-10: ERAs not applicable to the project
ERA Comments 31 – Mineral Processing This ERA is associated with the processing of coke or mineral products at a rate of 1,000 tonnes or more per year. Hard rock is not classified as a mineral. 33 – Crushing, Milling, Grinding This ERA relates to the crushing, grinding, milling or screening of more than 5,000 or Screening tonnes of material in a year. Given that ERA 16 applies to the project, ERA 33 is not applicable (as confirmed by Section (3)(b) of the ERA 33 description in the SPR). 41 – Cement Manufacturing The proposed development on Lot 105 does not involve the manufacture of cement. 56 – Regulated Waste Storage This ERA is not applicable given that the proposed development will not be a facility that receives and stores regulated waste for more than 24 hours. Furthermore, even though there will be some amounts of regulates waste generated as part of the quarry operations, the extent of this waste would be significantly less than 5 tonnes. 57 – Regulated Waste The proponent will employ an accredited contractor to collect and transport the Transport regulated waste that will be generated as part of the quarry operations. For the ERAs that are relevant to the proposed quarry development, the following analysis provides details of each ERA in relation to the project in terms of potential impacts. Table 1-11: ERAs applicable to the project
ERA Threshold Applicability to Project Impacts (if any) 16 2(d) Extracting rock or The proposed quarry is There will be a requirement to prepare other material: >1 anticipated to operate for a an activity based management plan million t/yr minimum of 40 years, depending (ABMP) that will need to be 3(c) Screening rock or on market conditions, whereby implemented prior to the other material: >1 the maximum extraction rate of commencement of the quarry on Lot million t/yr product will equate to 2 million 105. This particular document would be tonnes per year. prepared and submitted as part of any This particular ERA includes a subsequent development application code of environmental lodged with Gold Coast City Council. compliance that would be Much of the work that has been addressed as part of the future completed as part of the EIS would application seeking approval for inform the ABMP. The technical reports that have been
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Environmental Impact Statement
ERA Threshold Applicability to Project Impacts (if any) the ERA. prepared for air quality and acoustics Amongst other aspects, the code aspects confirm that compliance with covers potential issues in relation the relevant EPPs can be achieved. to air quality (dust) and acoustics Refer to Appendix GG and Appendix in the context of The relevant II respectively. Environmental Protection Policies In terms of blasting, it is noted that the (EPPs). project will comply with the identified The administering authority for State parameters associated with this ERA will be the Department vibration and overpressure. Refer to of Environment and Heritage Appendix JJ. Protection. The ERA will include conditions that would be required to be addressed as part of the operation of the proposed quarry development. The ERA conditions would relate to the parameters that are detailed within the EPPs (whereby it is noted that the project can achieve compliance). On the basis of the above, it is viewed that the potential for impacts on the surrounding areas is minimal. 63 2(a)(ii) operating The proposed quarry The location of the dispersal area is sewage treatment development is not proposed to within the disturbance footprint. The works, other than no- be connected to the Council’s dispersal area does not adjoin a release works, with a trunk sewage infrastructure watercourse or areas of ecological total daily peak design network. As a result, on-site significance. of 21-100EP and the sewage treatment is required to The above aspect, along with the treated effluent is be undertaken. conditions that would be required to be discharged from the The system is expected to be addressed as part of and future ERA works to an infiltration designed to a maximum capacity approval would minimise the potential trench or through an of 30EP. The effluent disposal for impacts to the surrounding area. irrigation scheme. area will be located within the disturbance footprint, near the weighbridge. The administering authority for this ERA will be the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.
1.8.4 Accredited process for controlled actions under Commonwealth legislation The project was referred to the Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPaC) on 1 December 2010, for determination as to whether the project constitutes a ‘controlled action’ under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). On 21 December 2010, the Australian Government Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities determined that the project is a ‘controlled action’ under the EPBC Act (reference number EPBC 2010/5757), due to the likely potential impacts on matters of national environmental significance (MNES). The controlling provision under the EPBC Act that is relevant to the Gold Coast Quarry project was identified as sections 18 and 18A, namely, listed threatened species and communities. Lot 105 is utilised by an EPBC listed migratory bird species that is not identified as being threatened (i.e. the species is not listed as being endangered, vulnerable or new threatened). The controlling actions identified in Sections 18 and 18A of the EPBC Act only relate to threatened species and do not relate to migratory species in any case. Refer to Chapter 11 and Appendix P.
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